Santo Domingo.- The Public Prosecutor’s Office has presented a report from the Comptroller General of the Republic as evidence in the Second Collegiate Court of the National District, highlighting irregularities in payments exceeding 310 million pesos related to purchasing processes during Wilfredo (Freddy) Hidalgo Núñez’s time as Minister of Public Health in 2013. Hidalgo is accused of being part of a corruption scheme that misappropriated over 4,500 million pesos, uncovered during Operation Pulpo.

Prosecutor Ernesto Guzmán Alberto indicated that Hidalgo improperly requested payment exemptions from the then-Comptroller General, Rafael Germosén. Auditor Amisael Félix Vicioso testified that the payment releases lacked the required signatures and did not comply with Law 340-06 on Purchases and Contracts. Irregularities included a lack of public bidding, improper timing of purchase authorizations, and no formal contracts for the transactions.

Witnesses, including auditors Rosa Iris Fanis and Carmen Magalys Baltazar Carpio, noted significant legal violations in the purchasing processes. The court has scheduled the next hearing for October 7, where the defense will continue cross-examining the witnesses.

Santo Domingo.- The event, organized by Arium Salud Digital and the Communication and Public Relations firm AF Comunicación Estratégica, will feature participation and support from various public and private institutions.

The third edition of the Latin American Digital Health Congress, titled “Creating the Health of the Future,” will take place on October 9 and 10 at the JW Marriott Hotel in Santo Domingo. This event has received significant backing from stakeholders in the health sector’s digital transformation.

The Ministry of Public Health, Seguros Reservas, Inmotion, Koneksi, TCA, Madih, Farmaconal, Amadita Clinical Laboratory, Hospital Metropolitano de Santiago (HOMS), Humano Seguros, Unión Médica del Norte, Referencia Clinical Laboratory, and CEMDOE are among the sponsors of this edition of the congress.

Additionally, SKYTEL, IntraCare, Global Medica, General Hospital of Plaza de la Salud, Rehabilitation, UNITRADE, Grupo SID, Wellmed, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Médico Express, Mallen, Fortinet, Farmacia Carol, MAPFRE, CEDIMAT, ARS Futuro, INTCOMEX, and New York Presbyterian are supporting the event.

Regarding the support received, Fedor Vidal, CEO of Arium Salud Digital, stated that thanks to events of this magnitude, the Dominican Republic is taking a step forward in contributing to the digitalization of the health sector. The event will provide data on learnings and best practices, showing where the country stands compared to others, what needs improvement, and, most importantly, where it is heading as a nation.

Similarly, Amelia Reyes Mora, president of AF Comunicación Estratégica, highlighted the importance of the media in promoting and broadening the reach of this prestigious event, expressing gratitude to those who have joined the effort, such as: Listín Diario, Resumen de Salud, Medihealth, Technology, Revista Contacto, Factor de Éxito, Diario de Salud, RCC Media, Dia 91 FM, Dominican Today, and Revista GBLAM.

Thanks to the prestige gained in its previous two editions, the event will also have the endorsement of the Dominican Association of Health Tourism (ADTS), the American Chamber of Commerce of the Dominican Republic (AMCHAMDR), Cámara TIC, the Dominican Institute for Quality (INDOCAL), Iberoamerican University (UNIBE), the Digital Agenda 2030, and the Dominican Health Association, ASADI.

The 3rd Latin American Digital Health Congress will be a platform where experts will discuss the challenges and future of the health industry, and the impact of digital transformation and artificial intelligence.

For more information and registration, visit congresosaluddigital.com or call 809-563-2663.

Santo Domingo – Intelligence and anti-drug agencies in the Dominican Republic are handling information about a new synthetic drug called “Tussi,” known as “pink cocaine.”
Reports indicate that the potent and harmful hallucinogen is being trafficked in Latin American and Caribbean countries.

Listin Diario sources assure that Dominican authorities, concerned about the effects of this potent drug, are carrying out in-depth investigations to find out if the so-called “pink cocaine” is circulating in the country among consumers and traffickers.

According to investigations to which this newspaper had access, the person who consumes Tussi is exposed to multiple risks, such as overdose, severe intoxication, or unexpected adverse reactions.
The effects can vary “from intense episodes of euphoria and hallucinations to severe anxiety, paranoia, panic and in some cases, psychosis,” the study says.

The specialists in charge of the research warn that “pink cocaine” has been proven to affect both the central nervous system and the cardiovascular system.”
The drug can also produce long-term effects, such as brain damage and psychiatric disorders.

The source, who is very close to the investigations into the possible presence of this synthetic drug in the Dominican Republic, assured that drug trafficking networks operating in Colombia, Mexico, and Venezuela are responsible for its production and distribution in Latin American and Caribbean countries.

The concern of the authorities goes beyond the effects that “pink cocaine” can have on public health, as they understand that Tussi “has become a tool for the dynamization of the illicit drug market” with the consequent increase in criminality, exacerbating violence.

According to reports obtained by Listin Diario, intelligence and anti-drug agencies in the country are keeping a close watch on discos and entertainment centers given the severe risk for the youth that the consumption of Tussi represents due to its high potential for physical, psychological, and addictive damage.
The intelligence work is carried out in response to recommendations for the implementation of prevention and control policies to curb the consumption and expansion of this dangerous drug.

The synthetic drug Tussi is also known as 2C or pink cocaine, although it does not contain cocaine. The pink is due to the fact that it contains a food coloring of that color.
As users are often unaware of what it contains, it can cause unpredictable and dangerous psychoactive effects.
Other effects include euphoria, increased energy, restlessness, increased heart rate, decreased appetite, distorted perception, headache, dehydration, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Although cocaine has anesthetic and stimulant properties, the properties of tussi are psychoactive, affecting serotonin, a neurotransmitter related to the control of emotions and mood.

According to information posted on various websites about the drug, its use is highly dangerous, as it leads people to feel that the effects of pink cocaine may not be what they expect and continue using it until they find it.
But they can also become addicted to the sense of risk that arises through what can be a chemical version of “Russian Roulette.”

When someone repeatedly uses pink cocaine, as with any addictive substance, the body begins to develop tolerance and needs to use more and more of it to feel the same effects as the initial doses.
For that reason, it can be deadly for users.

People trapped in addiction require specialized treatment and a detoxification process in a center that offers a program tailored to the needs of each patient, with the aim of reversing their physical and psychological dependence.
Pink cocaine,” originally from Colombia, is causing concern among healthcare providers because of its increasingly widespread use and its harmful effects.

Santo Domingo – The diseases under epidemiological surveillance in the Dominican Republic had low incidences in the last epidemiological week, 37 of the Ministry of Public Health.

According to the official institution, seven cases of dengue, seven of malaria, and four of leptospirosis were confirmed from September 8 to 14.

Meanwhile, there were no cases of coronavirus or suicidal behaviors that are reported in the bulletins.

In terms of mortality, the Public Health authorities reported 44 infant deaths and five maternal deaths.

During epidemiological week 37, 109 suspected cases and seven confirmed cases of malaria were reported, most of which reside in Greater Santo Domingo and San Juan. He points out that as of EW 37, 799 malaria cases have been confirmed in the country.

Leptospirosis, which to date has caused 31 deaths, in epidemiological week 37, 4 suspected cases were reported, and no confirmed cases were registered.

Suicidal behavior

During epidemiological week 37, no cases of suicidal attempts or behavior were reported, so our surveillance system remains vigilant to ensure the timely detection of any new cases.

It maintains that until EW 37-2024, 21 cases of this event had been reported. 57.1% (12/21) affected female sex in the age group 20 to 29, with 33.3% (7/21) of the cases.

The Ministry of Public Health’s report states that the distribution of cases by provinces of residence was 29% (6/21) in Santo Domingo, followed by 24% (5/21) in San Cristóbal and 19% (4/21) in San Juan. The Rodolfo de la Cruz Lora Hospital reported 33.3% of the cases.

Although no new cases have been reported this week, it is crucial to maintain vigilance in mental health.

The Ministry of Public Health is improving its efforts to improve early detection and support those at risk.

She says that it is essential to promote the importance of seeking help and accessing available resources for mental health to prevent suicide. To this end, the Contact Center “Take Care of Your Mental Health” is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week,

The Epidemiological Bulletin National Epidemiological Surveillance System/Unified Information System is a weekly publication published by the Ministry of Health through the General Directorate of Epidemiology (DGE).

Santo Domingo.- The Public Prosecutor’s Office continues to present evidence in the high-profile corruption case known as Operation Octopus, which involves a network that defrauded the Dominican State of over RD$5,000 million. During the latest hearing, key testimonies and documents were introduced to demonstrate fraudulent dealings and the misuse of public funds in the procurement of health supplies.

Leandro Villanueva, director of the General Directorate of Medicines, Food and Health Products (Digemaps), testified that medical supplies such as glucometers and lancets purchased by the Ministry of Public Health in 2013 lacked proper health registration and were not authorized for sale in the Dominican Republic. Despite this, the Ministry acquired these supplies from Domedical Supply, SRL for nearly RD$60 million, a company linked to Alexis Medina.

Further evidence included contracts, invoices, and distribution agreements showing that companies affiliated with Medina, such as General Medical Solution AM, SRL, falsely claimed to be exclusive distributors of certain medicines, including Erythropoietin. Testimony from José Miguel Zorilla, president of Nagada Investment Company, revealed that Medina’s company used false pretenses to sell medicines at inflated prices, profiting significantly from resale schemes that ultimately harmed the state.

Prosecutor Ernesto Guzmán of the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for the Prosecution of Administrative Corruption (Pepca) emphasized that the evidence confirms Alexis Medina’s companies were not eligible for public contracts, as they did not meet the legal requirements. He concluded that these fraudulent activities endangered public health and inflicted financial losses on the Dominican government. The court has adjourned the hearing until September 30 at 9:00 a.m.

Santo Domingo – Iliana Carolina Espinal Marte, 35, says that her desire to improve her physical appearance through surgery ruined her life.

On June 12, she went to the San Lucas Medical Institute in Santo Domingo to undergo an abdominoplasty performed by surgeon Juan Stanley. However, what followed was a series of complications that have left her health in a critical state.

Espinal relates that after the operation, she was abandoned by the doctor and was left in the care of her sister, who had no medical knowledge. “The doctor left me alone,” she explained.

During the postoperative massages, she began to suffer fainting spells and noticed blisters appearing on her skin, which the surgeon described as “normal.” In addition, she began to see a foul odor coming from her body.

Subsequently, she contracted a bacterium leading to granulomas and four umbilical hernias. “They tore my life apart,” Espinal said, describing the physical and emotional impact of her situation.

“It really was terrible,” she said with tear-filled eyes as she recalled the worst moments. In addition, she complained that when she needed to be operated on again, Dr. Stanley demanded an additional payment. “It was such terrible pain that I thought I was going to have a heart attack,” she added.

Espinal said she has all the evidence of the difficult time.
Added to the health complications are the high costs of the treatments.

Espinal has had to receive blood transfusions and undergo hyperbaric chamber therapies.

In addition, she needs medication every 21 days, the cost of which amounts to 3,500 pesos, a figure she can no longer afford. “I would like to be taken into account, I no longer have the resources to continue to follow up,” she lamented.

Finally, Espinal called on the authorities to investigate the surgeon and the medical center, warning that she did not want other women to suffer the same experience. “I don’t want more women to go through what I have gone through,” she concluded.

Santo Domingo – In the Dominican Republic, 48 suspected cases were reported during the 36th epidemiological week, and no confirmed cases of the viral disease were confirmed. Likewise, there were nine deaths due to the disease and 31 deaths due to leptospirosis.

The new cases of dengue fever are geographically distributed as follows: 21% in Hermanas Mirabal, 19% in Barahona, and 15% in Santo Domingo. According to the Epidemiology report, 52% of the cases affected females in the 10 to 10 age group.

Dengue is a viral disease transmitted by the bite of the Aedes aegyti mosquito. It is advised that mosquito breeding sites be avoided.

Suspected cases
As of epidemiological week 36, a total of 9,300 suspected cases have been reported, of which 1,089 have been confirmed for dengue. The National Public Health Reference Laboratory D has processed 8,307 dengue tests, of which 14% of the tests were positive. Among the positive samples, dengue-3 serotype was detected in 35%, while 64% corresponded to dengue-1 and dengue-2 serotypes. Of the suspected dengue cases, 84% have received care in health facilities, while 15% have been treated on an outpatient basis and 0.6% have been referred to other services.

The epidemiological surveillance system also recorded 729 cases of malaria and 384 cases of leptospirosis.

Santo Domingo – The Ministry of Public Health yesterday highlighted the challenge posed to health systems by dementias caused by various diseases and brain injuries, with Alzheimer’s disease being the most common, representing between 60% and 70% of cases.

In view of this reality, he is developing a plan based on Law 352-98 and the “Dementia Response Plan in the Dominican Republic 2020-2025,” which focuses on improving the quality of life of people with dementia, their caregivers, and their family members.

The plan, explains the Ministry of Public Health, proposes four lines of action: strengthening public policies, promoting health and preventing dementia in the community, improving access to comprehensive care, and developing information and monitoring systems.

In addition, it emphasizes multisectoral collaboration and the promotion of human rights.

The details of the plan are contained in epidemiological bulletin number 36, released yesterday by the Ministry of Public Health. This bulletin highlights Alzheimer’s disease as a central issue of interest.

She says that dementia is a syndrome that causes memory loss, communication problems, and mood swings due to brain damage, which is progressive and requires care as it progresses.

Remember that, although there is no cure, early diagnosis and symptom management can improve quality of life.

Risk factors can be identified and modified to prevent cognitive decline.

Population ageing

It highlights that, in the Dominican Republic, the proportion of people over 60 has increased from 2.7% in 1950 to 6.1% in 2015 and is estimated to reach 15.2% by 2050.

It points out that the country’s population over 65 years of age grew from 3.7% in 1981 to 9.3% in 2014. Life expectancy has also increased, from 46.1 years between 1950 and 1955 to 71.0 years in 2010, and is expected to reach 79.6 years by 2050.

Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s disease is a common form of dementia that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. It is a progressive disease that begins with mild memory loss and can lead to an inability to hold a conversation and respond to the environment.

It highlights that in the Region of the Americas, more than 10 million people are living with dementia, and the number is estimated to double every 20 years, with Latin America and the Caribbean experiencing a significant increase from 3.4 million in 2010 to 7.6 million in 2030.

The Ministry of Public Health report highlights that, currently, more than 55 million people in the world live with dementia, and more than 60% of them are in low- and middle-income countries. Almost ten million new cases are registered every year.

Women are disproportionately affected, as they face higher rates of disability and mortality due to dementia, as well as performing 70% of the hours of care for those who suffer from it.

Dementias have a significant economic impact, with a global cost of $818 billion in 2015, and it is estimated that by 2030 they could exceed $1 trillion.

In the Caribbean, the cost of dementia increased by 18.2% between 2010 and 2015.

Punta Cana – Health care from the moment of myocardial infarction is an Achilles heel. However, the subject is not as obscure as it used to be. Specialists at the Dominican Society of Cardiology Congress in Punta Cana, Higüey, discussed this aspect.

In this scenario, the Minister of Public Health, Victor Atallah, and other physicians stated that deaths due to heart attacks continue to be the leading cause of death in cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and therefore insisted that timely attention and timely intervention is the most important thing.

Atallah assured us that the National Health Network would solve part of the problem. “But we are better off. In the National Health Network we are going to reduce to less than two hours the time from when the symptom occurs, to receiving treatment,” he commented.

While participating in the Congress of the American College of Cardiology, which is taking place in Punta Cana, the doctor said that they are working with hospitals and the 9-1-1 Emergency System so that, through an application, the patient is received at the health center and attended to immediately.

Dr. Licurgo Cruz, governor of the Dominican Chapter of the American College of Cardiology, said that variables still allow for slow attention.

Among these, he cited the idiosyncrasy of the patient who self-medicates and seeks care late.

He valued the role of the 9-1-1 System in improving the situation and the availability of life-saving drugs.

Punta Cana – Dominican gastroenterologists and those from other countries will meet next week in Punta Cana to discuss an agenda full of scientific content. Dr. Claralí Almonte, president of the Dominican Society of Gastroenterology (SDG), announced this, saying it is her most important annual scientific activity.

The congress will be held from September 26 to 29 at the International Convention Center in Punta Cana.

The XXXII edition of the meeting is dedicated to Dr. Julio Camarena Trabous, a prominent Dominican gastroenterologist, professor, and past president of the SDG, who will be honored for his career.

Almonte said that the activity is international and will have as its motto “Integration in the approach to digestive pathologies.” It will bring together renowned national specialists and international guests to exchange experiences, approaches, and studies on the latest research related to gastroenterology and digestive pathologies.

They will also discuss training, updating, and growth strategies for gastroenterologists.

“The agenda to be developed in this congress has been prepared with a broad vision and a comprehensive approach adapted to the new times and aimed at responding to the great challenges of health and, especially, of gastroenterology,” said Dr. Almonte.

It is an exchange of experiences among the participants, said the doctor.