Santo Domingo.- Approximately 12,000 people in the Dominican Republic are currently receiving treatment for HIV, a public health effort that costs the government an estimated US$14.4 million, according to Dr. Lilliam Fondeur. The gynecologist and obstetrician shared these figures during a lecture on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) at the Santo Domingo Institute of Technology (INTEC), as part of the Diploma in Gender Equality and Social Policy.
Dr. Fondeur emphasized that HIV and the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) are the STIs with the highest economic and social toll in the country. She warned that HIV treatment demands lifelong use of antiretrovirals and diverts resources from prevention. HPV, the main cause of cervical cancer, affects women’s health and employment opportunities. Syphilis and other STIs, if left untreated, also cause severe health complications.
She highlighted the global scope of the STI issue, noting that over one million people contract an STI daily. The World Health Organization reports 374 million curable STI cases annually, particularly affecting women and youth in vulnerable populations. Locally, the Ministry of Public Health documented a rise in STI cases, including notable increases in syphilis, gonorrhea, genital herpes, and HPV.
The diploma program is part of a broader initiative to strengthen the Dominican Republic’s health and social protection systems, supported by the European Union and implemented by Expertise France. Through the Center for Gender Studies (CEG-INTEC), it trains public officials and provides guidance to ensure gender equality in public policy.