San José de Ocoa Opens New Hemodialysis and Diabetic Foot Units

President Luis Abinader and National Health Service (SNS) Executive Director Julio César Landrón inaugurated new hemodialysis and diabetic foot units at the Provincial Hospital San José de Ocoa, expanding specialized healthcare services for residents of the province and surrounding communities.

The new facilities are designed to bring regular treatments closer to patients who previously had to travel to Santo Domingo or other provinces. The move is particularly relevant for people with chronic conditions who require frequent medical care and face additional costs and logistical challenges when treatment is not available near their homes.

New hemodialysis facility includes 11 treatment chairs

The hemodialysis unit includes a reception and waiting area, consultation room, procedure and trauma area, observation room, isolation area, materials storage and nursing station. Its main treatment room is equipped with 11 chairs for patients receiving dialysis services.

The diabetic foot unit includes consultation rooms, treatment beds, clean-care areas, minor surgery space, a recovery area and a nursing station. The facility is intended to strengthen the prevention, evaluation and timely treatment of injuries associated with diabetic foot complications.

Both units were built with an investment of RD$93.9 million, including RD$89.88 million for construction and RD$4.02 million for equipment.

Part of national specialized-care networks

Landrón said the new services form part of the SNS strategy to expand specialized care throughout the Dominican Republic’s public healthcare network. The San José de Ocoa diabetic foot unit is the eighth of 10 planned facilities for the National Diabetic Foot Network.

The hemodialysis unit is the second of 10 planned by the SNS for the National Hemodialysis Network. Other facilities have been delivered at hospitals in Cotuí and San Francisco de Macorís during the current administration.

More than RD$216 million invested in provincial healthcare

The SNS reports that its investment in healthcare infrastructure, equipment and maintenance in San José de Ocoa has reached RD$216.06 million. Of that amount, RD$174.88 million corresponds to infrastructure, RD$38.83 million to equipment and RD$2.35 million to maintenance.

Projects have included improvements to the emergency department at the Provincial Hospital San José de Ocoa and interventions at the Guarionex Alcántara Hospital in Rancho Arriba. Several primary care centers, including those in Sabana Larga, El Pinar, Padre Luis Quinn and Monte Negro, have also received upgrades.

A second phase of renovations at the provincial hospital is expected to involve approximately RD$200 million. The government has also announced additional capacity for intensive care, including seven adult ICU beds and five neonatal ICU beds.

The expanded services are intended to improve access to specialized care for people with chronic conditions while reducing the need for patients and their families to travel outside San José de Ocoa for recurring medical treatment.