Renal Patients in Santo Domingo Protest Over Health Ministry’s Payment Delays

In the bustling city of Santo Domingo, a collective outcry emerged from those silently enduring chronic kidney disease. On October 6, 2025, renal patients took to the streets, voicing their distress over delayed payments from the Health Ministry that jeopardize their lives-saving hemodialysis treatments.

The peaceful protest unfolded on Avenida Chone, where patients of Clínica Socihemod halted traffic in a demonstration demanding action. The core issue stemmed from an outstanding debt exceeding eight million dollars by the Ministry of Public Health (MSP), leading to a drastic reduction in dialysis sessions for those relying on government coverage.

A Glimpse into the Crisis

Patients, who previously received three dialysis sessions weekly, found their lifelines trimmed to two. Meanwhile, those affiliated with IESS could maintain their full schedule due to timely payments from the institution. This disparity not only threatened health but also exacerbated financial burdens; the cost of intermediate dialysis soared between \(80 and \)100 per session—a price out of reach for many.

Voices from the Frontline

Félix Ortega, a ten-year-old patient, highlighted the clinic’s struggle to sustain services under current constraints. “The absence of funds has forced us into an untenable position,” he expressed, noting the uncertainty over who might receive continued care and where these patients could be redirected.

Ángel Melo shared his fears about health risks due to reduced dialysis sessions. He described how decreased frequency results in toxic buildup and fluid retention, posing immediate dangers. “We’ve been informed that only two weekly treatments will continue, with costs for additional ones far beyond our means,” he lamented.

Beyond the City Limits

The crisis extends its shadow far beyond Santo Domingo’s limits as many patients are compelled to travel across regions—cities like Chone or Esmeraldas—to access vital treatments. This necessity adds layers of financial and logistical strain on individuals already in precarious health situations.

Clinic’s Standpoint

José Lafuente, the clinic’s finance director, outlined their predicament: sustaining three sessions without MSP funding was impossible. Despite efforts to offer a third session at cost price for those able to afford it, no patient has managed such an expense so far.

A Call for Immediate Action

The stakes are high; the interruption of adequate dialysis could spell life or death for patients dependent on these treatments to function. The demonstrators demand that resources be allocated promptly and insist on upholding patient rights to prevent a collapse in renal care services within Santo Domingo’s province.

This protest is not an isolated event but part of ongoing struggles marked by historical payment delays and administrative disputes involving the Health Ministry, raising calls for systemic change.

As these patients continue their fight, they stand poised before health officials, imploring them to address this critical issue with urgency and empathy. Their plea is clear: safeguard lives by ensuring that medical care does not falter due to bureaucratic inertia or financial neglect.

Original article source: El Diario