The Dominican College of Engineers, Architects and Surveyors (Codia) is carrying out a technical evaluation of the expansion and remodeling of the Dario Contreras Trauma Hospital in Santo Domingo. Hospital staff and watchdog organizations have been raising questions about the high cost and poor quality of the expansion works.
Codia president Jose Espinosa criticized the fact that the remodeling was not under the supervision of the Ministry of Public Health. However, he disclosed that a visit by Codia experts to the hospital had observed the quality of the finishing works, but said that they will not be commenting on organization and distribution of space, as reported in Listin Diario.
The Institutionalism and Justice Foundation (Finjus), Dominican Alliance against Corruption (Adocco) and the Dominican Medical Association (CMD) criticized the program by the Presidency Public Works Construction Office (OISOE) now headed by engineer Miguel Pimentel Kareh. This is the same government office that during the Fernandez administration was headed by current senator Felix Bautista, known as the most outstanding case of rags-to-riches in the PLD governments.
The cost of the work doubled, but making matters worse, doctors say that serious basic mistakes have been made, making it difficult for them to provide quality services.
Investigative TV journalist Alicia Ortega toured the hospital and confirmed there are areas that were budgeted but not built, fewer beds, fewer offices for attending physicians, pediatrics left out and a cafeteria right next to the morgue. Her report will be broadcast this evening, Monday, 25 May 2015 at 9pm on Color Vision (Channel 9).
http://www.listindiario.com/la-republica/2015/05/25/368357/el-codia-har-evaluacin-tcnica-a-remodelacin-del-hospital-daro-contreras
http://www.noticiassin.com/2015/05/el-informe-recorre-el-moderno-pero-cuestionado-hospital-dario-contreras-que-ha-pasado-con-el-caso-baninter/