The Ministry of Public Health (MSP) has confirmed to N Digital that it transferred free medications and vaccines to the National Health Insurance (Senasa) that were subsequently reported by that institution as million-dollar purchases.
The President says he submitted the case to the Attorney General and is expecting the results of the prosecution inquiries and investigations.
A high-level source within the Ministry of Public Health has validated the information, explaining that the supplies were distributed at no cost through the Expanded Programme on Immunization (PAI). The PAI acquires vaccines and medicines at low prices through the revolving fund of the Pan American Health Organization (OPS).
The confirmation follows an exposé by journalist Edith Febles on the TV program El Día, which first revealed the alleged fraud, calling it a scam of “unsuspected proportions.”
According to investigations, the fraudulent procedure allegedly operated as follows:
- PAI delivery: The PAI delivered the medications and vaccines for free to private healthcare centers authorized in various provinces.
- False billing: Instead of administering the products directly to the population as part of the free public program, these centers billed Senasa as if they had purchased the supplies on the private market.
- Senasa expense: Senasa, in turn, registered these payments as justified expenses for services provided, even though the products had initially entered the country at no cost.
Estimates suggest that Senasa may have disbursed close to RD$700 million through this mechanism. The alleged fraud against the health system is another of many direct hits to social security funds revealed since last year regarding the state insurance plan entity.
The Ministry of Public Health further confirmed that in March 2025, it conducted operations to close and sanction several of these facilities, revoking their operating codes. The establishments —located in Greater Santo Domingo, Baní, San Cristóbal, La Vega, and the eastern region of the country— are now reportedly under investigation.
The situation has sparked intense concern due to the implications for the more than seven million Senasa affiliates whose coverage may be jeopardized by these practices.
Adding to the controversy, Senasa has denied N Investiga the contract with the firm My Care RD, which is reportedly linked to a nephew of Senasa’s former executive director, Santiago Hazim.
N Digital reports that this new case joins other complaints regarding irregular contracts, alleged fictitious payments, and the suspicious growth of private companies tied to the system. Calls are mounting for the Public Ministry to accelerate its investigations and apply exemplary sanctions to those responsible.
When asked about the situation during his 29 September 2025 press conference, President Luis Abinader said he was waiting for the results of the Public Ministry’s investigation to comment on the matter. Abinader had appointed Santiago Hazim to the position in August 2020. He was removed five years later amidst accusations of major irregularities.
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N Digital
Edith Febles
Edith Febles
30 September 2025