While the Dominican Republic has expanded key public health and digital health initiatives in recent years, significant gaps in quality and access continue to affect lower-income communities ¹. Non-communicable conditions like hypertension and diabetes account for nearly 70% of all national deaths, highlighting an urgent need for reliable, community-level primary care ². With health coverage segmented and rural facilities often under-resourced, local primary health centers (CPNs) serve as an essential lifeline, providing families with free medical consultations, routine immunizations, and vital medications close to home ³.
In the Santiago Province marked economic inequality leaves rural communities underserved despite regional growth ⁴. In one rural community, home to roughly 500 vulnerable families, basic infrastructure is severely lacking, including inconsistent access to potable drinking water. The area's existing, outdated medical post treats 15 to 20 patients daily—focusing heavily on chronic diabetes and hypertension, maternal care, young children under five, and a high proportion of asthmatic patients. Because the current facility is deteriorating and lacks proper space, patients facing medical emergencies or specialized needs are forced to travel an extra 40 minutes by car to reach the nearest hospital.
To assist with this challenge, HXP Builders will construct a brand-new primary health center for this rural community, to replace the deteriorating facilities. This new facility will allow the clinic to expand to 24-hour service and add a second full-time doctor. It will provide free, dignified medical care and prescriptions directly within the community—saving families stressful, costly travel and serving as a safe medical home for over 700 residents.
Sources
¹ WHO – Dominican Republic Health System Profile & Service Delivery Overview
² UNICEF – Dominican Republic Annual Country Report & Child Monetary Poverty Diagnostics
³ WHO – Dominican Republic Essential Services & Communicable Disease Monitoring
⁴ SIUBEN – Santiago Province Poverty Registry & Social Protection Profile