The Ministry of Public Health shut down a cosmetics clinic in Villa Mella where three women have died, including two from the United States. The clinic was not authorized for plastic surgery operations, but nevertheless, these were carried out there.
The US media has reported that a mother from Westchester, United States has died while getting a tummy tuck at a medical clinic in the Dominican Republic, just weeks after an Alabama teacher passed away while undergoing surgery at the same facility.
Alexandra Medina, 33, of New Rochelle traveled to the country to have the procedure done at the Dr. Ureña Arias Clinic in Santo Domingo last Wednesday, 3 July 2019, for the medical procedure, which also included liposuction, despite her family’s pleas to stay home.
The Ministry of Public Health says that an investigation has been opened. The deceased reportedly was operated with Dr. Felix Almanzar. As reported in the New York Post, the Ministry of Public Health did say that Dr. Almanzar was not licensed to practice surgery.
The family learned that Medina had suffered fatal complications during the tummy tuck, with her preliminary cause of death ruled an embolism. She leaves behind a husband and 14-year old son.
Her death comes after an Alabama teacher died last month at the same clinic, which was briefly closed by the Ministry of Public Health. Alicia Renette Williams, aged 45, suffered blood clots and died from undergoing an elective procedure on 2 June 2019 with the same doctor.
Persons interested in plastic surgery in the Dominican Republic should check that the clinic and surgeon are authorized to practice. Before booking any procedure, see the website of the Dominican Society of Plastic Surgeons to find a qualified surgeon.
Read more:
Diario Libre
NY Post
Plastic Surgery Society
10 July 2019