Santo Domingo.- The executive director of the National Health Service (SNS), Dr. Julio Landrón, announced the paralysis and dismissal of a nutrition services contracting process that was ongoing in the institution, after identifying himself “observations and deficiencies in the initial technical sheet.
The decision comes amid public complaints about the contracting model applied in hospital system programs, particularly in health services. home peritoneal dialysis and specialized clinical nutritionwhich in recent years were awarded through exception processes due to exclusivity.
SNS stops nutrition process due to technical “deficiencies”
In an official statement, Landrón explained that the contest had been introduced in December 2025 by the SNS Purchasing and Contracting Committee and that the current management gave it institutional continuity.
However, after a deeper review, inconsistencies were detected that motivated the decision to stop it.
“After a more exhaustive technical and administrative evaluation, observations and deficiencies were identified in the initial technical sheet, which motivated the decision to formally stop the process today and make it public knowledge,” said the official.
The head of the SNS assured that the measure seeks to guarantee “transparency, legality and efficiency in the use of public resources.”
All ongoing tenders are suspended
Beyond the specific nutrition processthe executive director instructed to stop all ongoing bidding processes within the institution, including those related to nutrition and dialysis services.
The review will be carried out in coordination with the General Directorate of Public Procurement (DGCP)with the aim of ensuring that each procedure strictly complies with current regulations.
Landrón emphasized that, despite the paralysis of administrative processes, continuous supply to patients will be guaranteed.
“The objective is to review them exhaustively together with the DGCP, ensuring adherence to the law, always preserving continuous supply to patients,” he said.
Complaints about exceptional processes
The decision of the SNS occurs in a context of questions about the contracting model implemented in previous years for programs of the public hospital system.
According to complaints, in the management of the doctor Mario Lama at the head of the SNS, from August 2020 to January 2026, home peritoneal dialysis and nutrition services specialized clinic were contracted through exception processes due to exclusivity, through successive awards.
The companies benefiting from these awards would have been MACROTECH FARMACÉUTICA, SRL, HOSPIFAR, SRL and the Centro Integral de Medicina Renal (CIMER).
Contracting under the exclusivity exception modality is contemplated in Dominican legislation, but must meet specific and duly justified criteria to avoid undue restrictions on free competition.
New contests directly in hospitals
As part of the announced measures, the SNS reported that new competitions for nutrition services will be called directly in public hospitals, adjusted to the particular needs of each health center.
These processes will have the support and supervision of the DGCP.
According to the institution, the intention is to implement mechanisms that are “more efficient, transparent and in line with the needs of the Public Network.”
The announcement suggests a change in the contracting modality, aimed at decentralizing some services and adapting them to the operational reality of each hospital.
Comprehensive review under Law 340-06
The SNS reiterated that, together with the DGCP, it will carry out a comprehensive review of all purchasing and contracting processes.
This process will be based on the principles established in Law 340-06 on Public Purchasing and Contracting and its regulations, which promote transparency, equity and free competition.
“The institution will strengthen the principles of transparency, equity and free competition established in Law 340-06 and its regulations,” the statement says.
The regulations contemplate various contracting modalities, including public tenders, price comparisons and exception processes, the latter applicable only in specific circumstances, such as duly proven exclusivity or emergency situations.
Guarantee of ethics and transparency
The director of the SNS affirmed that ethics and institutional values will prevail during his management.
“In our management, ethics, values and transparency will prevail, to guarantee quality services to users and preserve the correct administration of State resources,” declared Landrón.
The paralysis of the processes represents a preventive measure that seeks to reinforce public confidence in the administration of the hospital system’s resources, particularly in sensitive areas such as clinical nutrition and dialysis treatments, which directly impact patients with chronic conditions.
Impact on patients and next steps
Although the SNS did not detail the number of contracts or the amounts involved in the stopped process, the institution stressed that the reviews will not affect the continuity of services to users.
Patients receiving treatments home peritoneal dialysis and clinical nutrition Specialized professionals depend on these programs for their survival and quality of life, so any administrative modification must guarantee operational stability.
With the intervention of the DGCP and the call for new competitions, the SNS seeks to restructure the procedures under more rigorous supervision standards.
The decision marks a turning point in the purchasing management of the public hospital system and opens a period of waiting while the corresponding technical and legal reviews are developed.
