Despite a decrease in cases as compared to the same date in 2023 – when 2,043 deaths were recorded – , local authorities and international organizations are still calling to strengthen hospital care and prevention in the community, with special care for most vulnerable families. According to the epidemiological bulletin of the Ministry of Public Health, in week 35, which runs from August 25 to September 1, 29 children died, well below the 63 recorded over that period in 2023.

The report states that neonatal deaths (occurring before reaching 28 days of age) represent 79.4 percent (1,092) of the total.

Health authorities report 102 maternal deaths so far this year, 132 fewer than those accumulated until September 1, 2023.

The Dominican Republic lowered neonatal mortality by almost nine percent last year (two thousand 956) compared to 2022 (three thousand 341) in all hospitals in the public network, although the rate remains high, according to official data and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

This decrease, although insufficient, is largely due to the launch of the Acceleration Plan for the Reduction of Neonatal Mortality in May of last year.

ied/mpv