The head of the National Health Service (SNS) that groups public hospitals, Dr. Mario Lama has reported to the Migration Policy Watchdog (OPM) that the reduction of 4,586 fewer maternity cases by Haitian women in the first eight months of 2025 has saved the SNS more than RD$4 billion. Lama also noted that the absence of Haitian patients has freed up beds and services as well as permitting greater efficiency in the nation’s public hospitals.
This recent trend that saves money for the hospitals which, in turn, allows them to keep a stock of disposable items that are often out of stock with higher numbers of maternity cases.
Lama based his numbers on estimates given to the press by former Public Health Minister, Daniel Rivera, who said that the cost of the Haitian maternity cases was between RD$10 and RD$15 billion per year.
Lama went on to say that so far in 2025, some 13,125 Haitians have given birth in Dominican facilities, over 4,000 less than in 2024. The SNS director said that it was undeniable that the protocol established in April 2025 by President Abinader was the cause of the reduction by nearly 40% in Haitian women giving birth in Dominican hospitals. He added that this puts into evidence that there was a business of bringing Haitian women into the country to give birth.
The new measures establish that when women who are not legal residents here give birth in emergency rooms of Dominican hospitals, these need to be deported once they complete the birthing procedures.
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Listin Diario
15 September 2025