Health Service Reopens Renovated Border Clinic in Río Limpio, Elías Piña
After 39 years of neglect, a border health center in Elías Piña reopens with new facilities and equipment.
Key points
- The Río Limpio First-Level Care Center, in Pedro Santana, was fully completed with an investment of RD$6,176,678.00.
- It has two multipurpose consultation rooms, an emergency room, a vaccination area, a pharmacy and a medical residence.
- The SNS announced a clinical laboratory and the dispatch of an X-ray unit, pending an increase in electrical capacity.
- Two nurses will be hired and contracted staff will be formalized.
Dr. Julio Landrón, executive director of the Servicio Nacional de Salud (SNS), led the handover this Saturday of the renovated First-Level Care Center (CPN) Río Limpio, in the municipality of Pedro Santana, Elías Piña province. According to the Presidency of the Dominican Republic, the work was completed at 100% by the El Valle Regional Health Office.
The center had been deteriorated and without maintenance for 39 years. The investment was RD$4,976,678.00 in infrastructure and RD$1,200,000.00 in equipment, for a total of RD$6,176,678.00.
The new facilities include two multipurpose consultation rooms, a waiting area, a vaccination area, an emergency room, a pharmacy and a medical residence with a dining room, two bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen and a laundry area.
During the event, Landrón said the intervention is an act of social justice toward the border community. He guaranteed the availability of supplies and medicines and said hypertension and diabetes patients should not have to buy their treatments, because the State provides them free each month. He also ordered that stocks be kept of medicines for fever, flu and diarrhea, along with suturing materials, anesthesia, gloves and tetanus vaccine.
The official confirmed that a clinical laboratory for basic tests, such as blood counts, glucose and creatinine, will be installed, and that an X-ray unit will be sent once local authorities secure the increase in electrical power. He also announced the recruitment of two nurses, the formalization of contracted employees and the addition of a janitor.
Pedro Tejada, director of the Río Limpio district council, highlighted the impact of the work on the community's well-being.
Why it matters
Residents of this border area, who previously had to travel the dangerous international highway for care, will have medical services closer to home. Hypertension and diabetes patients will receive their medications free each month.