DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

Newly implemented verification protocols for foreign patients have led to a marked decline in demand for medical services by Haitian nationals in Dominican public hospitals, according to the latest data from the National Health Service (SNS), El Dia reports. Most of these services were free for the Haitian migrants and their offspring, putting a heavy burden on the finances of the Dominican health system.

The largest demand for foreign health care is for birthing services. The SNS figures, spanning from April to November 2025, reveal that births among Haitian women in public hospitals have dropped by nearly half in some facilities, while overall consultations and emergency visits have seen a similar downward trend.

Since the protocol was launched on 21 April 2025, the demographic makeup of patient care in the national public network has shifted significantly. In April...