Dominican Republic health officials address neonatal mortality and high cesarean rates

neonatal mortality maternal health cesarean rates Dominican Republic healthcare hospital supervision

The Dominican Republic's healthcare system is facing scrutiny regarding maternal and neonatal health. Former President Danilo Medina has called for an investigation into neonatal mortality, noting that 20.8 children die per 1,000 live births, with 82% of these being neonates. Medina emphasized that approximately 80% of these deaths are avoidable and likely stem from failures in medical protocols rather than a lack of prenatal access, which stands at 97.6%.

Complementing these concerns, Unicef has highlighted an alarmingly high cesarean section rate of 68.2% in the country, which significantly exceeds regional and global averages. This rate is particularly high in private facilities, reaching 89%.

In response to these health indicators, the Ministry of Public Health, led by Víctor Atallah, has intervened in eight hospitals to conduct technical evaluations of infection control, infrastructure, and protocol compliance. Simultaneously, the National Health Service (SNS), under Julio Landrón, is conducting unannounced supervision visits to public hospitals and primary care centers to ensure service continuity and equipment maintenance. The SNS is also coordinating with medical societies and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to strengthen maternal and neonatal care.

Entities

Danilo Medina · Dominican Liberation Party · Dominican Republic · Julio Landrón · Partido de la Liberación Dominicana · Servicio Nacional de Salud · UNICEF · Víctor Atallah

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] The visits are part of the initial actions of his management to strengthen contact with agents.
[● 2 SOURCES] The tour included Bonao, La Vega, Espaillat, and Santiago.
[● 3 SOURCES] Major General Ernesto Rafael Rodríguez García visited four provinces in the Cibao region. noticias31.com.do
[○ 1 SOURCE] Police officers should aim to generate security rather than fear. noticias31.com.do
[○ 1 SOURCE] The police reform aims to create a more professional and efficient institution. noticias31.com.do
[● 4 SOURCES] The neonatal mortality rate is 20.8 deaths per 1,000 live births. atento.com.do · dominicanodigital.com · www.traslashuellasdigital.com.do · n.com.do
[○ 1 SOURCE] Occupancy in public maternity wards has seen a decrease of over 50% in births to foreign nationals. mediodigitalrd.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The Executive Director of the National Health Service (SNS) conducted unannounced supervision visits to various hospitals and primary care centers. ahoranoticiasrd.com · viphatomayor.com · bavarodigital.net
[● 4 SOURCES] Approximately 80% of neonatal deaths in the country are considered avoidable. atento.com.do · dominicanodigital.com · www.traslashuellasdigital.com.do · n.com.do
[● 2 SOURCES] The cesarean section rate in the Dominican Republic is 68.2%. azuanoticias.com · eldinero.com.do
[● 2 SOURCES] Cesarean sections account for 89% of births in private medical centers. azuanoticias.com · eldinero.com.do
[● 2 SOURCES] The Ministry of Public Health intervened eight hospitals to evaluate maternal and child health conditions. calle56.com · deultimominuto.com