Dr. Martín Ortiz, National Director of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health at the National Health Service (SNS), said the proportion of births to Haitian mothers in the Dominican Republic has fallen from 37% to 24% following the implementation of immigration control measures.
Speaking on the television program Esferas de Poder, Ortiz said approximately 16,500 fewer births to Haitian nationals were recorded over the past year. According to the official, immigration controls introduced around March and April of last year contributed to the decline, particularly at public maternity hospitals that had previously experienced high numbers of Haitian patients.
Lower Share of Births to Haitian Mothers
Ortiz explained that in 2024, about 37 out of every 100 births in the country were to Haitian mothers. Following the implementation of migration controls, that proportion fell to 24 out of every 100 births, which he described as a significant reduction.
He said Dominican women are now making greater use of major maternity hospitals, including Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia Maternity Hospital and San Lorenzo de Los Mina Maternity Hospital, while emphasizing that public hospitals continue to provide medical care to Haitian nationals who seek treatment.
Investments in Public Healthcare
The SNS official said maternal and child healthcare has undergone substantial improvements over the past six years. According to Ortiz, more than 200 hospitals have been renovated and nearly 2,500 primary healthcare units are being strengthened to improve access to medical services and reduce pressure on major hospitals.
He also highlighted upgrades to diagnostic imaging services, expanded neonatal and pediatric intensive care capacity, and broader acceptance of health insurance cards at public hospitals, measures intended to improve access to specialized medical care.
Teenage Births Continue to Decline
Ortiz said the Dominican Republic has also recorded a significant reduction in adolescent pregnancies. He noted that annual teenage births have fallen from approximately 32,000 in 2019 to about 16,000 last year, representing a decline of more than 50%.
During the first half of the current year, he said there were about 1,000 fewer births among teenagers than during the same period a year earlier. The country currently operates 39 comprehensive adolescent healthcare units to provide specialized services for young people.
Maternal and Infant Health Trends
Ortiz said the Dominican Republic continues to experience a declining birth rate, reflecting a broader global trend. He estimated the country’s fertility rate at around 2.1 children per family, compared with approximately eight children per family in Haiti.
The official added that premature births remain the leading factor affecting infant mortality during the first 28 days of life. However, he said infant mortality has declined in recent years due to investments in hospital infrastructure, healthcare worker training, expanded neonatal intensive care units, pediatric intensive care beds and vaccination programs.
Regarding maternal mortality, Ortiz stated that 56% of maternal deaths recorded in 2024 involved Haitian women. He said that figure later declined to 52%, and currently stands at approximately 33%, coinciding with the reduction in births among Haitian mothers.