The Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) donates equipment, medical supplies and vehicles to Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MISPAS
Santo Domingo, June 8, 2023- The Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MISPAS) received a donation consisting of 150 glucometers, 1,500 glucometer strips and three pick-up trucks for a total value of over US$330,000, as part of the "Project to Strengthen the Capacities of the Ministry of Public Health to deal with COVID-19 and other diseases", with the financial support of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI).
The donation, received through the Vice-Ministry of Health Sector Strengthening and Development, is intended to increase the health response capacity in order to reduce the mortality rate and identify people with diabetes in time through the advanced technology of the glucometers.
In this regard, Dr. Daniel Rivera, Minister of Health, as the head of the ceremony, said that MISPAS is focused on providing the health sector with everything it needs to make it a much higher quality system with modern equipment and supplies; at the same time he thanked Mr. Hostos Rizik, Executive Director for the Dominican Republic at the CABEI.
"President Luis Abinader's intention and mine, is that our population will not need to use this equipment or any medical supplies, because that would be a sign that we are in good health; we adapt and condition the health centers and areas, but we will maintain education, promotion and prevention methods that guarantee the health of all, which is the most important thing. Many thanks to Mr. Hostos Rizik for making this donation possible," said Dr. Rivera.
In this context, Mr. Miguel Rodríguez Viñas, Vice-Minister of Health Sector Strengthening and Development, in his opening remarks, emphasized that "CABEI approved a third time extension for us to successfully complete this project and continue to deal with COVID-19 and any other type of disease. With this we can have a health system that guarantees acceptable services for the population in a comprehensive manner."
Likewise, Hostos Rizik, CABEI Executive Director for the Dominican Republic, expressed his pleasure at being able to collaborate with the Ministry of Health and bring the project to fruition.
"I am extremely proud to see materialized today what we implemented a year ago; this is a task that will give another meaning to the places where this important equipment will be used. CABEI is at the Government's disposal to make a health model possible in the Dominican Republic," hesaid.
The three vans, Mazda BT-50, will be distributed to the Department of Health Promotion and Education Support (DAPES), the Health Situation Analysis, Monitoring and Evaluation of Results Directorate (DASIS) and the STI, HIV, and Hepatitis programs (DIGECITSS). The project also includes the refurbishment of some areas at MISPAS headquarters, such as the meeting room of the Vice-Ministry of Collective Health.
The ceremony was also attended by directors, technicians, and representatives of both institutions.