The Ministry of Public Health has fired more than 40 officials and middle level employees as part of restructuring at the department. Minister Sabino Baez told the Listin Diario that “weaknesses” were found amongst the personnel. The newspaper says that at the Padre Billini Hospital, 16 persons, more than half the staff, were removed from the lab, where the work was apparently directed by ‘a mafia’.
El Caribe reports that the lab was carrying out analysis for private labs and that the irregular operations date back 10 years. While at the Padre Billini a set of tests would cost RD$600, these would go for RD$2,000 in a private lab. Rafael Rojas of the Padre Billini told El Caribe that the employees were pocketing the difference.
“The changes are being carried out to make the department more efficient,” stated Public Health Minister Sabino Baez.