Health in the Dominican Republic

Last updated
Dominican Republic medical students receive visit from Jill Biden. Jill Biden visits the Dominican Republic, October 2016 04.jpg
Dominican Republic medical students receive visit from Jill Biden.

Health is the state of overall emotional and bodily wellbeing. Healthcare exists to provide healthiness to people and maintain their ideal conditions. In the Dominican Republic, health haphazardness has resulted in economic disgrace. It was because of the rising of infectious health disparities. Although healthcare institutions work tirelessly for the welfare of citizens, it is essential to note the prevalence of contagious diseases influences the Dominican economy.

Contents

Life expectancy in the Dominican Republic Life expectancy by WBG -Dominican Republic.png
Life expectancy in the Dominican Republic

Life expectancy in the Dominican Republic was 71 years for men and 77 years for women in 2016. [1]

In 2007 the Dominican Republic had a birth rate of 22.91 per 1000 and a death rate of 5.32 per 1000. [2] Youth in the Dominican Republic is the healthiest age group.

The Human Rights Measurement Initiative [3] finds that the Dominican Republic is fulfilling 86.0% of what it should be fulfilling for the right to health based on its level of income. [4] When looking at the right to health with respect to children, the Dominican Republic achieves 89.3% of what is expected based on its current income. [5] In regards to the right to health amongst the adult population, the country achieves only 84.6% of what is expected based on the nation's level of income. [6] The Dominican Republic falls into the "bad" category when evaluating the right to reproductive health because the nation is fulfilling only 84.0% of what the nation is expected to achieve based on the resources (income) it has available. [7]


HIV/AIDS

The prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the Dominican Republic in 2011 stood at approximately 0.7%, which is relatively low by Caribbean standards, with an estimated 62,000 HIV/AIDS-positive Dominicans. [8] In contrast neighboring Haiti has an HIV/AIDS rate more than double that of the Dominican Republic. A mission based in the United States has been helping to combat AIDS in the country. [9] Dengue fever has become endemic to the republic, cases of malaria, and Zika virus. [10] [11]

The implementation of the siren nominal electronic testing kit was observed. However, further inventions considered, for example, the first pre-exposure prevention introduced in the critical population. The action has registered a positive impact on the economic structure of the Dominican Republic. Approximately, more than 550 people have graduated from the faculty of epidemiology owing a 38% improvement to the viral load and preparedness to deal with the pandemic (Pan American Health Organization n.p). Thus, strengthening the lab of National Public health where all samples tested has a positive deviation to the economy. [12]

Abortion

The practice of abortion is illegal in all cases in the Dominican Republic, a ban that includes conceptions following rape, incest, and situations where the health of the mother is in danger, even if life-threatening. [13] This ban was reiterated by the Dominican government in a September 2009 provision of a constitutional reform bill. [14] Furthermore, issues of abortion endanger the lives of teenagers. The exercise of abortion was unlawful in the Dominican Republic: the decree was to govern and protect the life of the innocent and the mother. For example, the mortality ratio has an estimate of 92 deaths per 100000 live births in 2015 (UNICEF n.p). [15] Adolescents with low levels of education in rural areas are categorized to harbor such risks. To add on, an increase in female unemployment rates posed a hazard to the economy. Therefore, strict laws stipulated to reiterate abortion.

Healthcare

There are three tiers of healthcare in the country:

Even those for whom care is supposedly provided may have to pay for medical supplies. [17] However, considerable progress in health and overall development was experienced in the country. For instance, there is a substantial increase in health coverage in the nation that is the health insurance coverage from 23% in 2011 to 65% in 2015 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention n.p). [18] Significantly, updating the list of beneficiaries was the major challenge since the list based on disease prioritization and financial sustainability. Therefore, the first fitness elements, such as migration, poverty education, and gender-based, should be considered in the strategy of hindrance suites.

Government expenditure on healthcare is about $180 per person per year, slightly more than half the average for the Latin American and Caribbean region. [19]

Essentially, there are steps considered by healthcare in the Republic. Firstly, the sponsored organization that caters to the poor, unemployed, and disabled people. Also, the active personnel contained a contributive establishment. Though the low- classes are dependents, the majority of the population is independent on matters of health, according to the Dominican Republic (World Health Organization n.p). [1] Therefore, government expenditure per person is slightly higher in the Dominican Republic compared to other states.

Furthermore, coronavirus pandemic is a threat to the economy. The fixed budget placed for the control of the virus shake the fragile economy of the republic (United Nations n.p). Hence economic retardation experienced having negative implications. [20]

Finally, it is essential to improve certification and registration systems in areas with higher levels of poverty in the Republic of Dominican. It has a positive impact on the economy of this country. Therefore, based on the World Health Organization, essential solutions rendered to stabilize the economy of the Republic should be embraced.

Related Research Articles

In terms of available healthcare and health status Sierra Leone is rated very poorly. Globally, infant and maternal mortality rates remain among the highest. The major causes of illness within the country are preventable with modern technology and medical advances. Most deaths within the country are attributed to nutritional deficiencies, lack of access to clean water, pneumonia, diarrheal diseases, anemia, malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.

Health in Indonesia is affected by a number of factors. Indonesia has over 26,000 health care facilities; 2,000 hospitals, 9,000 community health centres and private clinics, 1,100 dentist clinics and 1,000 opticians. The country lacks doctors with only 0.4 doctors per 1,000 population. In 2018, Indonesia's healthcare spending was US$38.3 billion, 4.18% of their GDP, and is expected to rise to US$51 billion in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Healthcare in Kazakhstan</span> Overview of healthcare in Kazakhstan

The Healthcare in Kazakhstan is a post-Soviet healthcare system under reform. The World Health Organization (WHO), in 2000, ranked the Kazakhstani healthcare system as the 64th in overall performance, and 135th by overall level of health.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Health in Paraguay</span>

In terms of major health indicators, health in Paraguay ranks near the median among South American countries. In 2003 Paraguay had a child mortality rate of 29.5 deaths per 1,000 children, ranking it behind Argentina, Colombia, and Uruguay but ahead of Brazil and Bolivia. The health of Paraguayans living outside urban areas is generally worse than those residing in cities. Many preventable diseases, such as Chagas' disease, run rampant in rural regions. Parasitic and respiratory diseases, which could be controlled with proper medical treatment, drag down Paraguay's overall health. In general, malnutrition, lack of proper health care, and poor sanitation are the root of many health problems in Paraguay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Health in Ghana</span>

In precolonial Ghana, infectious diseases were the main cause of morbidity and mortality. The modern history of health in Ghana was heavily influenced by international actors such as Christian missionaries, European colonists, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund. In addition, the democratic shift in Ghana spurred healthcare reforms in an attempt to address the presence of infectious and noncommunicable diseases eventually resulting in the formation of the National Health insurance Scheme in place today.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Health in the Democratic Republic of the Congo</span> Overview of the health system of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Health problems have been a long-standing issue limiting development in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The current population of Myanmar is 54.05 million. It was 27.27 million in 1970. The general state of healthcare in Myanmar is poor. The military government of 1962-2011 spent anywhere from 0.5% to 3% of the country's GDP on healthcare. Healthcare in Myanmar is consistently ranked among the lowest in the world. In 2015, in congruence with a new democratic government, a series of healthcare reforms were enacted. In 2017, the reformed government spent 5.2% of GDP on healthcare expenditures. Health indicators have begun to improve as spending continues to increase. Patients continue to pay the majority of healthcare costs out of pocket. Although, out of pocket costs were reduced from 85% to 62% from 2014 to 2015. They continue to drop annually. The global average of healthcare costs paid out of pocket is 32%. Both public and private hospitals are understaffed due to a national shortage of doctors and nurses. Public hospitals lack many of the basic facilities and equipment. WHO consistently ranks Myanmar among the worst nations in healthcare.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Health in the Central African Republic</span>

Health in the Central African Republic has been degraded by years of internal conflict and economic turmoil since independence from France in 1960. One sixth of the country's population is in need of acute medical care. Endemic diseases put a high demand on the health infrastructure, which requires outside assistance to sustain itself.

The Human Rights Measurement Initiative finds that Equatorial Guinea is fulfilling 43.5% of what it should be fulfilling for the right to health based on its level of income. When looking at the right to health with respect to children, Equatorial Guinea achieves 64.4% of what is expected based on its current income. In regards to the right to health amongst the adult population, the country achieves only 58.8% of what is expected based on the nation's level of income. Equatorial Guinea falls into the "very bad" category when evaluating the right to reproductive health because the nation is fulfilling only 7.3% of what the nation is expected to achieve based on the resources (income) it has available.

The Human Rights Measurement Initiative finds that Gabon is fulfilling 62.2% of what it should be fulfilling for the right to health based on its level of income. When looking at the right to health with respect to children, Gabon achieves 84.7% of what is expected based on its current income. In regards to the right to health amongst the adult population, the country achieves only 78.1% of what is expected based on the nation's level of income. Gabon falls into the "very bad" category when evaluating the right to reproductive health because the nation is fulfilling only 23.9% of what the nation is expected to achieve based on the resources (income) it has available.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Health in South Africa</span> Brief overview of aspects of health in South Africa

Health in South Africa touches on various aspects of health including the infectious diseases, Nutrition, Mental Health and Maternal care.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Health in Guinea</span> Health challenges in Guinea

Guinea faces a number of ongoing health challenges.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Health in Mozambique</span>

Health in Mozambique has a complex history, influenced by the social, economic, and political changes that the country has experienced. Before the Mozambican Civil War, healthcare was heavily influenced by the Portuguese. After the civil war, the conflict affected the country's health status and ability to provide services to its people, breeding the host of health challenges the country faces in present day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Health in Rwanda</span>

The quality of health in Rwanda has historically been very low, both before and immediately after the 1994 genocide. In 1998, more than one in five children died before their fifth birthday, often from malaria. But in recent years Rwanda has seen improvement on a number of key health indicators. Between 2005 and 2013, life expectancy increased from 55.2 to 64.0, under-5 mortality decreased from 106.4 to 52.0 per 1,000 live births, and incidence of tuberculosis has dropped from 101 to 69 per 100,000 people. The country's progress in healthcare has been cited by the international media and charities. The Atlantic devoted an article to "Rwanda's Historic Health Recovery". Partners In Health described the health gains "among the most dramatic the world has seen in the last 50 years".

The Republic of the Congo faces a number of ongoing health challenges.

The fertility rate was approximately 3.7 per woman in Honduras in 2009. The under-five mortality rate is at 40 per 1,000 live births. The health expenditure was US$197 per person in 2004. There are about 57 physicians per 100,000 people.

Life expectancy in Nicaragua at birth was 72 years for men and 78 for women in 2016. While communicable diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika continue to persist as national health concerns, there is a rising public health threat of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, which were diseases previously thought to be more relevant and problematic for more developed nations. Additionally, in the women's health sector, high rates of adolescent pregnancy and cervical cancer continue to persist as national concerns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Health in Papua New Guinea</span>

Life expectancy in Papua New Guinea (PNG) at birth was 64 years for men in 2016 and 68 for women.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Health in Albania</span> Aspect of life in Albania

Life expectancy in Albania was estimated at 77.59 years, in 2014, ranking 51st in the world, and outperforming a number of European Union countries, such as Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic. In 2016 it was 74 for men and 79 for women. The most common causes of death are circulatory diseases followed by cancerous illnesses. Demographic and Health Surveys completed a survey in April 2009, detailing various health statistics in Albania, including male circumcision, abortion and more.

The Health in Eswatini is poor and four years into the United Nations sustainable development goals, Eswatini seems unlikely to achieve goal on health. As a result of 63% poverty prevalence, 27% HIV prevalence, and poor health systems, maternal mortality rate is a high 389/100,000 live births, and under 5 mortality rate is 70.4/1000 live births resulting in a life expectancy that remains amongst the lowest in the world. Despite significant international aid, the government fails to adequately fund the health sector. Nurses are now and again engaged in demonstrations over poor working conditions, drug stock outs, all of which impairs quality health delivery. Despite tuberculosis and AIDS being major causes of death, diabetes and other non-communicable diseases are on the rise. Primary health care is relatively free in Eswatini save for its poor quality to meet the needs of the people. Road traffic accidents have increased over the years and they form a significant share of deaths in the country.

References

  1. 1 2 "Dominican Republic". World Health Organization. 2018. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
  2. "CIA – The World Factbook – Dominican Republic". Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Retrieved June 4, 2007.
  3. "Human Rights Measurement Initiative – The first global initiative to track the human rights performance of countries". humanrightsmeasurement.org. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  4. "Dominican Republic - HRMI Rights Tracker". rightstracker.org. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  5. "Dominican Republic - HRMI Rights Tracker". rightstracker.org. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  6. "Dominican Republic - HRMI Rights Tracker". rightstracker.org. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  7. "Dominican Republic - HRMI Rights Tracker". rightstracker.org. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  8. Prevalence of HIV, total (% of population ages 15–49) | Data | Table. Data.worldbank.org. Retrieved on April 2, 2014.
  9. "The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief" (PDF). Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator. April 2005.
  10. "Zika Virus in the Dominican Republic". CDC. August 5, 2016. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
  11. "Dominican Republic". United States Department of State . Retrieved August 24, 2016.
  12. "Recomendaciones para elevar el impacto de las revisiones sistemáticas en la salud materna y perinatal en las Américas". Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública. 23 (3): 207–208. March 2008. doi: 10.1590/s1020-49892008000300009 . ISSN   1020-4989.
  13. Romo, Rafael (August 18, 2012) Pregnant teen dies after abortion ban. CNN
  14. "Dominican Republic Reaffirms Commitment Against Legalizing Abortion". Fox News. September 18, 2009. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  15. "Health". UNICEF. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  16. "Dominican Republic - Health Service". Expat Focus. 2018. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
  17. "The healthcare system in the Dominican Republic". Just Landed. 2018. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
  18. "CDC Global Health- Dominican Republic". Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. 18 December 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  19. "To save lives, Haiti should focus on primary care more than hospitals, report says". Miami Herald. 27 June 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
  20. "Economic impact of coronavirus threatens hard-won progress across Africa's Great Lakes region". UN News. 2020-04-22. Retrieved 2020-05-14.