Dominican Republic joins two-year initiative to reduce maternal deaths

Washington, D.C.- The Dominican Republic will participate for two years in an initiative by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and MSD for Mothers aimed at reducing preventable maternal deaths, adolescent pregnancies and barriers to quality maternal healthcare.

The program, also being implemented in Guatemala, will focus on communities with limited access to health services. It will strengthen postpartum family planning, prenatal care and training for healthcare workers, including the prevention and treatment of HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and Chagas disease.

Health Minister Víctor Atallah said the initiative will complement national efforts to improve maternal and adolescent healthcare, with young people also participating in the design of services.

Approximately 12,000 adolescent births are recorded annually in the Dominican Republic. However, the adolescent birth rate has fallen by about 55%, from 75 per 1,000 in 2017 to 34 per 1,000 in 2025.

The initiative is expected to directly benefit between 10,000 and 15,000 adolescents and young people in the two countries.