Santo Domingo. The Ministry of Public Health, under the leadership of the minister Victor Atallahreceived important international awards and distinctions in 2025, as a result of strengthening comprehensive care, reducing high-impact diseases—including the registration of zero deaths from dengue— and the sustained improvement of health services for the benefit of the population.
During this period, the Dominican Republic evidenced concrete advances in prevention, epidemiological surveillance, equity, health care and institutional management, reaffirming the commitment of the Dominican State to the right to health and the strengthening of the National Health System.
One of the most relevant milestones of 2025 was the incorporation of the HEARTS model to the First Level of Careas a basis for the management of cardiovascular risk, with emphasis on the control of high blood pressure. Thanks to this initiative, 365,345 people are followed for hypertension, with a 81% blood pressure controlpositioning the country as a regional reference. The program has progressively extended to different areas of the national territory, also benefiting patients with diabetes.
As a result of these achievements, the Dominican Republic was awarded the Organizational Excellence Award 2025awarded by the World Hypertension League (WHL)in recognition of advances in cardiovascular risk control. Currently, the HEARTS model is present in the 69% of First Level Care Centerswith the training of 5,392 health professionals.
Likewise, the country received the World Hypertension League Organizational Excellence Award and the CureAll Americas Awards 2025with an estimated investment of RD$2,914,084.00.
The Ministry of Health was also recognized by the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the WHO Collaborating Center for Childhood Cancer from the World Health Organization (WHO), upon obtaining the award Country CureAll Poster Winner 2025for strengthening childhood cancer care and the support provided by the first lady, Raquel Arbajeto these programs.
This recognition was selected through global voting, with the participation of more than 180 members of the international communitywho valued the impact of the actions developed in favor of children.
Minister Víctor Atallah thanked the president for his support Luis Abinader and highlighted that these results drive the strengthening of hypertension and diabetes control as part of the program More Health and Longer Life Expectancy.
“It is from the President of the Republic that we receive that firm support that motivates us to continue moving towards a more preventive and efficient health system,” he expressed.
HIV, tuberculosis and malaria
In the area of HIVthe country reached and exceeded the international goal 95–95–95with more than 79,800 people diagnosed, 56,000 in treatment and 49,000 with viral suppressionwhich earned him recognition as “Champion Country”.
As for the tuberculosiswere diagnosed and treated 3,771 caseswith emphasis on early detection in vulnerable populations, timely provision of medications and social support to ensure continuity of treatment.
Likewise, significant progress was made towards the elimination of malariawith interventions in more than a million homesreduction of active outbreaks and regional recognition by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
The Dominican Republic obtained a 82% in the first measurement of the Regional Malaria Elimination Initiative (IREM) Performance Frameworkaccording to official communication from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to the Ministry of Public Health. The country fulfilled eight of the ten indicators established for this phase, positioning itself in the first place performancealong with Belize, among the participating countries.
As a result, the nation is eligible to receive the incentive corresponding to the 40% of Performance Trancheequivalent to US$219,000.00.
“More Health and Wellbeing”
The days “More Health and Wellbeing” were developed in prioritized provinces, with the participation of the Provincial Directorates and Health Areas, impacting 46,089 people in 10 provinces. Of them, more than 25,000 —including children, adolescents, pregnant women and older adults— participated in educational activities on healthy lifestyles.
These sessions contributed to reducing access barriers and strengthening community health education, with an investment of RD$18,002,700.00.
At the national level, 2,551 pediatric patients were included in the monoclonal antibody administration program (Palivizumab) to prevent complications of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)reaching a 65% adhesionwith an investment of US$2,439,300.98.
Besides, 7,930 active patients received specialized medications High Costwith guaranteed continuous treatment, through an investment of RD$7,313,861,754.00.
When evaluating these results, Minister Atallah stated that “We are seeing concrete results: more health, fewer deaths and more hope for our people”, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to a more accessible, modern and efficient health system.
