Dominican Republic sets roadmap to improve water and sanitation in health centers

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Health, UNICEF, and the Water Cabinet have signed a joint declaration to improve access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in health centers across the country. This initiative aims to ensure quality and resilient health services by integrating water quality standards into the planning, construction, and maintenance of healthcare facilities.

The action plan, developed through a detailed “bottleneck analysis” supported by UNICEF and international experts, identified key obstacles and proposed sustainable solutions. Institutions like INAPA, the National Health Service, and the Water and Sewerage Corporations committed to implementing these actions within their operational plans.

The plan responds to alarming data showing that only 28.5% of Dominican households have regular access to water, a problem that also affects health centers. The initiative prioritizes vulnerable communities and emphasizes that safe water is a basic human right essential for public health and climate resilience.