The health services system in the Dominican Republic is comprised by the public and private subsectors. Management of the sector is performed directly by the Ministry of Health (SESPAS) or through the integration of governing bodies/boards of sectoral institutions; through the allocation of financial resources, Health Codes and Laws; and through the definition of national standards and directives. The SESPAS is able to regulate through the enforcement of technical and administrative standards by the provisions of the Sanitary Code, and from now on the new Health Law, referring to registries, permissions and patents. In addition, the SESPAS participates in the regulation of the health work force.

Health System Profile of Dominican Republic

The second edition of the Profile was prepared by a group of 11 professionals and high-level national political decision-makers belonging to the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare (SESPAS), the Dominican Social Security Institute (IDSS), the State Commission on Health Sector Reform (CERSS), the Dominican Medical Association (AMD) and PAHO/WHO. Technical coordination of the national group was the responsibility of the PAHO/WHO Representative Office in the Dominican Republic. The external review was coordinated by the Center for Management and Health Research (CEDIGES) of the Catholic University of Santo Domingo. Final review, edition, and translation are the responsibility of the Health Systems and Policies Unit, PAHO/WHO, Washington, DC.