New chief faces mounting questions on Dominican Government’s health policy

Santo Domingo.- Signaling what the Dominican Republic can expect during her tenure, the new Public Health minister Altagracia Guzmán on Monday called for a sweeping strategic alliance with the entire health sector to lead the country toward a better health system.

After a meeting in her new office with outgoing minister Freddy Hidalgo, the official said there’ll be no Transfer ceremony at this time and she’ll provide statements to the press instead.

Hidalgo was removed from the post in the heels of the deaths of 11 toddlers at Robert Read Cabral children’s hospital, on which the Presidential Commission appointed to probe the tragedy found four cases of alleged medical negligence.

Guzmán, who held the same post during the first term in office of former president Leonel Fernandez, resumes the post as questions mount over the Government’s policies on public health and the conditions of public hospitals.