Health Minister urges responsibility to prevent tragedies during Easter 2026

Santo Domingo.- Health Minister Víctor Atallah urged the public to act responsibly during the 2026 Easter holiday, calling for stronger prevention measures to reduce accidents and protect lives. He stressed that recklessness—especially on the roads—continues to cause avoidable tragedies and reminded citizens to prioritize prudence, awareness, and respect for safety rules.

Atallah warned against dangerous behaviors such as driving under the influence of alcohol and using mobile phones while driving, noting that both carry legal penalties and put lives at risk. He also highlighted the vulnerability of motorcyclists, emphasizing that wearing helmets is essential and should never be optional. He called on all citizens to respect traffic laws, speed limits, and protective measures as a shared responsibility.

The minister further encouraged families to supervise children and adolescents closely, particularly in public spaces like beaches, rivers, and resorts. He raised concerns about minors consuming alcohol during the holiday and urged adults to prevent access to alcoholic beverages due to the serious health risks involved.

The Ministry of Public Health is participating in the “Awareness for Life, Holy Week 2026” operation led by the Emergency Operations Center (COE), which mobilizes thousands of personnel nationwide. Meanwhile, the National Health Service (SNS) confirmed that public hospitals are fully prepared to respond to emergencies throughout the holiday period.