Public services and healthcare costs face scrutiny in Dominican Republic and Mexico

In the Dominican Republic, high out-of-pocket healthcare costs are posing a significant challenge to family economies. Luis René Canaán Rojas, executive director of ARS SEMMA, reported that over 35% of the population faces unmet health needs or disproportionate expenses. According to the World Health Organization, out-of-pocket spending in the country accounts for 25.1% of total health expenditure, with pharmaceutical products representing 55.3% of household health spending.

Experts suggest that strengthening primary care is essential to prevent long-term cost increases and hospital congestion. Chanel Rosa Chupany, former executive director of the National Health Service, noted that while the institutional base is solid, the priority must be closing the gap between insurance affiliation and effective protection.

Meanwhile, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, residents have expressed high levels of dissatisfaction with municipal services. Data from INEGI’s National Survey of Urban Public Security indicates that 85.1% of citizens view public transportation as a priority problem, nearly double the national average. Additionally, 82.3% of residents reported dissatisfaction with trash collection and cleaning services, significantly exceeding the national average of 31.2%. Other critical issues include road infrastructure, water supply, and public lighting.