Health Care In The Dominican Republic

Outside the major cities and tourist areas, the quality of public health care drops considerably. Once you leave the capital, even emergency services can range from limited to non-existent.

In short, there is one public facility in each province of the country. These are average at best and often suggested only for emergencies. It is rare that the staff will speak English at these facilities.

One exception is Las Terrenas, which has a brand-new hospital, Centro Galeno Integral, complete with ICU. The facility is modern and clean.

Expats treated at the facility for everything from a broken ankle to kidney failure all report excellent service and great prices. This hospital would be able to meet almost all medical needs.

Expats in Las Terrenas don’t need to travel for medical care.

Every town has between three and five local clinics. These are a step up from the public clinics, but less expensive than the tourist-area facilities.

It is unlikely staff will speak English, but you’ll receive quality care for day-to-day medical concerns.

General practitioners or family doctors are relatively uncommon in the Dominican Republic.

Most physicians consider themselves specialists. Newcomers are advised to select an internist and treat that doctor as you would a GP. He or she will refer you to other specialists as needed.

Some patients select a specific clinic and rely on the various specialties within that practice. Word-of-mouth is generally the best way to select a clinic.

In early 2016, the Canadian government warned travelers to the Dominican Republic. It received reports of overcharging, variable pricing and unnecessary hospital stays. This is true for physicians contracted to large tourist resorts.

The guidance said travelers entering a hospital should request English-speaking assistance at the desk before admission. This ensures that patients understand procedures, processes, and pricing.