AGP Executive Report

Brain Health & Aging: A two-year, culturally adapted lifestyle program across 11 Latin American countries improved memory and thinking in older adults, with the biggest gains among people getting more structured coaching. Local Health Policy: A Dominican lawyer backed a proposal to create a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Crisis Intervention Unit in Santo Domingo Este, arguing families need faster specialized help during mental health emergencies. Public Health Watch: Dominican Republic reported an 82% decline in malaria incidence, signaling progress but still requiring continued prevention. Workplace & Tech: A national statistics bulletin found 35% of formal Dominican companies with internet access already use AI, with larger firms leading adoption—relevant for health-sector operations too. Humanitarian Pressure: Rights groups say forced deportations of Haitians—nearly 200,000 in early 2026—are straining Haiti’s ability to receive returnees, including via Dominican border points. Health & Safety Lawsuit: A Survivor Greece contestant suing over a spearfishing accident in the Dominican Republic is raising renewed questions about on-site safety and emergency response.

Malaria Update (DR): The Dominican Republic reported zero malaria deaths in 2026 and an 82% drop in incidence (down to 1.90 cases per 100,000; 133 confirmed cases so far), with transmission mainly in rural, agricultural areas and key hotspots including Azua and San Juan de la Maguana. Mental Health Policy (Santo Domingo Este): Lawyer Frederick Ferreras backed a proposal to create a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Crisis Intervention Unit in Santo Domingo Este, arguing families lack specialized services during emergencies. AI in Business (Santo Domingo): A new National Statistics Office bulletin found 35% of formal DR companies with internet access already use AI in daily operations, with larger firms adopting more. Health & Safety (Global, DR-linked): A Survivor Greece contestant suing for $100M says a spearfishing accident in the Dominican Republic left him with a severed leg, raising renewed questions about on-set safety. Eye Health Warning (Travel-linked): A case of acanthamoeba keratitis tied to contact lenses and shower water highlights how everyday habits can threaten vision.

Malaria Control Win: The Dominican Republic reported zero malaria deaths in 2026 and an 82% drop in incidence, with 133 cases confirmed so far and transmission concentrated in rural, agricultural areas—especially Azua. Mental Health Access: A proposal backed by family-law lawyer Frederick Ferreras would create a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Crisis Intervention Unit in Santo Domingo Este to speed specialized care during emergencies. AI in Business: A new National Statistics Office bulletin says 35% of formal Dominican companies with internet access already use AI, led by larger firms and sectors like mining, construction, and manufacturing. Humanitarian Pressure at the Border: Rights groups warn that nearly 200,000 Haitians forcibly returned to Haiti in 2026 are overwhelming services, with the Dominican Republic accounting for the vast majority of returns. Contact Lens Safety Reminder: A viral case highlights acanthamoeba keratitis after contact lenses were worn during a shower in the Dominican Republic, underscoring that water and contacts don’t mix. Health System Watch: The U.S. carried out another deportation flight to Haiti after TPS ended, adding further strain to an already fragile humanitarian situation.

Malaria Update: The Dominican Republic reported zero malaria deaths in 2026 and an ~82% drop in incidence, with 133 confirmed cases so far (down from 712 at the same point last year), driven by stronger surveillance and vector-control, and transmission concentrated mainly in rural agricultural and migration-linked areas. Mental Health Services: Santo Domingo Este could get a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Crisis Intervention Unit, backed by family-law lawyer Frederick Ferreras, aiming to provide faster specialized care during crises and reduce risk for minors and their families. Health Tourism Policy: The Senate approved landmark legislation to make health tourism a national priority, focusing on quality, international accreditation, patient safety, investment, innovation, and public-private coordination. Eye Health Reminder: A viral case highlights the danger of contact lenses around water: a 20-year-old developed acanthamoeba keratitis after showering in the Dominican Republic and is now going blind. Safety & Injury Lawsuit: A Survivor Greece contestant, injured off the Dominican coast during spearfishing, is suing for $100M, alleging unsafe open-water conditions and lack of protective measures.

Malaria Drop: The Dominican Republic reported zero malaria deaths in 2026 and an 82% decline in incidence (down to 1.90 cases per 100,000; 133 cases so far), with transmission concentrated in rural, agricultural and migration-linked areas like Azua and San Juan de la Maguana. Mental Health for Youth: Lawyer Frederick Ferreras backed a proposal to create a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Crisis Intervention Unit in Santo Domingo Este to speed specialized care during emergencies and reduce risk for minors and families. Health Tourism Push: The Senate approved landmark legislation to make health tourism a national priority, aiming to improve patient safety, international accreditation, investment, innovation, and public-private coordination. Eye Health Warning: A viral case highlights acanthamoeba keratitis after a contact lens wearer showered in the Dominican Republic, stressing that water and contacts don’t mix. Safety & Injury Lawsuit: A Survivor Greece contestant suing over a spearfishing accident in Dominican waters alleges production safety failures, including lack of protected zones and safety boats.

Child Safety Online: UNICEF reports about 20 million children ages 12–17 (nearly 1 in 5) across 21 countries experienced technology-facilitated sexual exploitation and abuse in a single year, with underreporting likely making the true scale worse. Health Tourism Push: The Dominican Republic advanced landmark legislation to make health tourism a national priority, aiming to boost quality, international accreditation, patient safety, and public-private coordination. Women’s Health Diplomacy: The country formally joined the Geneva Consensus Declaration on women’s health and family, while local organizations urged the government to reject it amid renewed U.S. pressure. Contact Lens Warning: A Dominican Republic–linked case highlights acanthamoeba keratitis risk after wearing contacts in the shower, leading to severe vision loss. Medical Response Readiness: COE and the Airport Department agreed to strengthen emergency coordination using airport and heliport landing networks for faster rescue and transfers. Public Health Cooperation: U.S. Air Force medics joined “Amistad 2026” in La Vega, delivering medical services alongside Dominican teams. Injury Lawsuit Spotlight: A “Survivor Greece” contestant alleges a spearfishing accident near the Dominican Republic involved unsafe conditions and seeks $100M+ in damages.

Health Tourism Push: The Dominican Republic cleared landmark legislation to make health tourism a national priority, aiming to boost patient safety, international accreditation, investment, innovation, and public-private coordination after 338,000 health tourists in 2023 generated over US$1.4B. Women’s Health Diplomacy: The country also formally joined the Geneva Consensus Declaration on women’s health and family, framing it as support for women’s access to health and stronger health systems. Hospital Safety Check: The Ministry of Public Health launched a technical sweep of eight major hospitals to identify gaps tied to maternal and infant morbidity and mortality, including infection control, water quality, sanitation, waste management, and clinical protocol compliance. Medicine Affordability: A bill would let health insurance affiliates accumulate unused monthly medicine allotments instead of losing them at month’s end. Eye Health Warning: A contact lens user says showering with lenses led to acanthamoeba keratitis and near-total vision loss, urging safer lens habits. Injury & Safety Lawsuit: Survivor Greece contestant Stavros Floros filed a $100M suit after a boat propeller severed his leg, alleging unsafe open-water conditions near tourist traffic. Regional Aid & Care: The Dominican Navy delivered 49 tons of humanitarian aid to Colombia, including medical supplies and medicines.

Hospital Oversight: The Ministry of Public Health launched a technical sweep of eight major hospitals to identify gaps tied to maternal and newborn deaths, with teams focused on infection control, water and waste, maternal-infant protocols, and supplies. Medicine Access: A bill in the Chamber of Deputies would let health insurance affiliates accumulate unused monthly medicine allotments instead of losing them at month’s end. Women’s Health Diplomacy: The Dominican Republic formally joined the US-backed Geneva Consensus Declaration on women’s health and family strengthening, a move that drew pushback from local social and human-rights organizations. Emergency Response: The COE and the Airport Department agreed to strengthen disaster coordination, using airport heliports and hospital landing facilities to speed rescue and transfers. Public Health & Travel Risks: Florida confirmed a locally acquired dengue case in Orange County; the report notes travel-associated exposure that includes the Dominican Republic. Health Workforce Cooperation: US Air Force medics joined a bilateral Amistad 2026 mission in La Vega, delivering medical, dental, optometry, pediatric, dermatology, and mental health services. Wellness Tourism: Hyatt opened the adults-only, all-inclusive Hyatt Vivid Punta Cana, highlighting wellness programming. Eye Safety Alert: A contact lens user says an everyday habit led to a rare amoeba infection that damaged her eyes—another reminder to follow safe lens care.

Hospital Safety Sweep: The Dominican Ministry of Public Health launched a technical evaluation of eight major public hospitals to find gaps driving maternal and infant deaths, with teams focused on infection control, water/sanitation and waste, maternal-infant clinical protocols, and supplies. Emergency Response Coordination: COE and the Airport Department agreed to strengthen disaster protocols by prioritizing heliports and hospital-network landing facilities to speed rescue, transfers, and emergency logistics. Dengue Watch (Regional): Florida confirmed a locally acquired dengue case in Orange County and reported 40+ locally acquired cases statewide in 2026; travel links included the Dominican Republic, underscoring mosquito-borne risk awareness. Health Diplomacy: U.S. Air Force medics joined “Amistad 2026” in La Vega, delivering medical, dental, optometry, pediatric, dermatology, and mental health services alongside Dominican teams. Prison Health Concerns: Relatives of a man who died at CCR Las Parras in Santo Domingo requested an exhaustive investigation after reports of trauma and that he was taken to a health center without vital signs. Public Health Training: PAHO/WHO and the Gorgas Institute ran a regional course in Panama to boost genomic surveillance skills for labs across the Dominican Republic and the region.

Aviation & Disaster Response: Commercial flights resumed at Venezuela’s main airport near Caracas after nearly 10 weeks of earthquake damage, but operations are still limited and passengers are processed through temporary facilities. Public Health & Water Safety: Dominican consumer watchdog Onpeco urged stronger protections to ensure safe, sufficient, and accessible drinking water during drought, calling for tighter oversight across production and distribution and faster action against non-compliant supplies. Housing Access: MIVED says it plans to deliver 1,600–2,000 homes from September to December and schedule groundbreaking for about 2,600 more, aiming to speed construction and reduce barriers in the sector. Healthcare System Transparency: A Santiago father is still waiting for autopsy results 10 months after his infant died under a state-subcontracted nonprofit, alleging negligence and demanding forensic transparency. Medical Innovation (Aesthetics): Medytox secured Colombian approval for three hyaluronic acid fillers (Atiere), positioning Colombia as a regional base after its earlier entry into the Dominican market. Energy Strategy: The Dominican Republic is exploring nuclear technology options with U.S. cooperation, including potential uses beyond electricity like nuclear medicine and environmental monitoring. Wellness Tourism: Hyatt opened Hyatt Vivid Punta Cana, an adults-only all-inclusive built around “Flow, Discovery, Presence,” including wellness programming like paddleboard yoga. Health & Safety Abroad (Travel Risk): A UK teen died after a tour boat explosion in the Dominican Republic, with an inquest citing septic shock following severe burns.

Maternal & newborn care: UNICEF says 68.2% of births in the Dominican Republic happen via cesarean section, far above global and regional averages, with private facilities especially high (89% vs 52.8% in public). Public health & water safety: Onpeco urges stronger oversight of drinking water during drought, calling for inspections across production, packaging, storage, transport and sale, plus action against non-compliant products. Child protection transparency: A father in Santiago says he’s still waiting 10 months for autopsy results after his infant died under a state-subcontracted nonprofit, alleging negligence and lack of access to forensic findings. Health system capacity (regional): PAHO/WHO and ICGES ran a bioinformatics course for genomic surveillance across the region, including the Dominican Republic, to better interpret pathogen data for public health decisions. Health & wellness tourism: Hyatt opened Hyatt Vivid Punta Cana, an adults-only all-inclusive built around Flow, Discovery and Presence, including wellness programming.

Maternal health alarm: UNICEF says 68.2% of births in the Dominican Republic happen by cesarean section, far above WHO averages, with private facilities at 89% vs 52.8% in public—urging a review of obstetric practices and better maternal and neonatal care. Drinking water pressure: Onpeco warns drought is turning into a public-health and consumer-protection risk, calling for stronger oversight of water production, inspections, and tougher action against non-compliant “potable” products. Housing push: MIVED says the government aims to deliver 1,600–2,000 homes in September–December, with groundbreaking planned for about 2,600 new houses. Disaster aid: The DR sent about 50 tons of humanitarian supplies to Colombia after an earthquake, including food, medicines, medical equipment, hygiene and cleaning items. Energy planning: The energy ministry is exploring nuclear technology options (including nuclear medicine and other uses) with U.S. cooperation, while not committing to a plant. Public safety tragedy: A British teen died after a boat explosion near Saona/Cotubanamá; reports say she suffered burns on 60% of her body and later died from septic shock.

Maternal health alarm: UNICEF says 68.2% of births in the Dominican Republic happened by cesarean section—far above WHO global estimates—especially in the private sector (89% vs 52.8% in public), urging a review of obstetric practices and safer, justified use of major surgery. Water safety amid drought: Onpeco warns that declining water sources are turning into a public health and consumer protection issue, calling for tighter oversight of drinking-water production, packaging, storage, transport, and inspections—plus stronger protection of watersheds and recharge areas. Disaster response with health supplies: The Dominican Republic sent about 50 tons of humanitarian aid to Colombia after an earthquake, including food, medicines, medical equipment, hygiene, and cleaning items. Health system know-how for expats: A new guide explains how to find doctors, choose hospitals, get prescriptions, and handle urgent care in the Dominican Republic’s private system. Nuclear medicine link: Energy officials say nuclear technology is being explored not only for power, but also for nuclear medicine, agriculture, water management, and environmental monitoring. Tourism safety concern: A British teen died after severe burns from a boat explosion near Saona; local hospitals treated dozens, and the cause is still under investigation.

Maternal health warning: UNICEF says 68.2% of births in the Dominican Republic happen via cesarean section, with rates far higher in the private sector (89%) than public hospitals (52.8%), urging a review of obstetric practices to balance lifesaving surgery with its risks. Patient safety focus: The DR will host the 3rd International Health Quality and Safety Forum on Sept. 16, centered on making safety a “system strategy” across healthcare management, public trust, and safer clinical research. Healthcare access for expats: A new guide explains how everyday care works in the DR—how to choose hospitals, find doctors and specialists, handle prescriptions, and what to do after hours. Public health and prevention: The Ministry of Public Health is intensifying dengue prevention efforts, while health leaders also highlight the need for stronger safety and quality systems. Health-related incident abroad tied to DR tourism: A UK teen died after fatal burns from a boat explosion near Saona; local care and outcomes are under scrutiny as families seek answers.

Maternal Health Watch: UNICEF says 68.2% of births in the Dominican Republic happen by cesarean section—far above WHO global averages—with private facilities especially high (89% vs 52.8% in public). The agency urges a review of obstetric practices because surgery without clear medical need can raise risks like infection and longer recovery. Patient Safety & Quality: The DR will host the International Health Quality and Safety Forum (Sept. 16) focused on “Safety as a System Strategy,” linking patient safety, public trust, and safer clinical research. Healthcare Access for Expats: A practical guide explains how healthcare works in the DR—how to choose a hospital, find doctors and specialists, handle prescriptions, and what to do after hours. Public Health in Focus: Authorities are intensifying dengue prevention efforts, while reports also highlight leptospirosis deaths in Nueva Ecija and the push for faster care and prevention around flood exposure. Health-Linked Tragedy: A British teen who died after a boat explosion near Saona Island had burns on 60% of her body; an inquest heard her death was linked to septic shock from burns.

Patient Safety & Quality: The Dominican Republic is set to host the 3rd International Health Quality and Safety Forum on Sept. 16, with a focus on making safety a “system strategy,” linking it to quality, public trust, and safer clinical research. Emergency Preparedness: The COE and the UN World Food Programme signed an agreement to strengthen disaster readiness, early warning, logistics, and emergency decision-making as the country faces hurricanes, floods, droughts, earthquakes, and more. Tourism Health Link: Puerto Plata’s “Tourism Close to You” program was launched to improve destination safety, sustainability, and quality—explicitly bringing in health services alongside hotels, transport, and community groups. Healthcare Access (How it works): A new guide for expats breaks down practical steps in Dominican healthcare—how to choose hospitals, find specialists, handle prescriptions, and what to do after-hours. Public Health (Dengue): The Ministry of Public Health is intensifying dengue prevention efforts. Infectious Disease Alert: Leptospirosis has caused 7 deaths in Nueva Ecija, with 103 cases reported since Jan. 1 to July 11, and officials urge avoiding floodwater and seeking care early. Local Health Capacity: A pediatric optometry mission in Santiago delivered 1,070 eye exams over five days, including follow-up for glaucoma patients and glasses for children. Health-Related Tragedy: A British teen, 16, died after a boat “explosion” near Saona Island; an inquest cited septic shock following severe burns. Health & Sports Integrity: MLB suspended a Dominican prospect tied to an alleged age- and identity-fraud scheme involving falsified records and a fake death certificate. Health & Economy: A report says a U.S. slowdown could be absorbed by the Dominican Republic, but it should be monitored for impacts on jobs, household income, remittances, and tourism. Business/Health Risk: Authorities seized illicit alcohol, premium cigarettes, and medicines in Villa Consuelo. Health Workforce (Regional): Haiti’s rural medical center is recruiting doctors and nurses, including former TPS holders, to meet growing demand.