Day: September 13, 2024

Digepres meets with health sector entities to address aspects related to the 2025 Budget Bill

The Director General of the Budget Office emphasized the importance of redoubling efforts to improve health spending for the benefit of the country's growth and development. The Directorate General of the Budget Office (Digepres), in coordination with the National Health Service (SNS), met with representatives of the health sector to discuss issues related to the 2025 General State Budget Bill, under a more comprehensive, strategic, efficient, and equitable approach for the population and the health sector. The meeting was led by the Director General of the Budget Office, José Rijo Presbot, accompanied by the Deputy Director, Iván Ramírez; Mario Lama, Executive Director of the National Health Service (SNS); Odilys Hidalgo, Director of Budgetary Services; and Norvin Bargés, Head of the Department of Services to Local Governments. José Rijo Presbot, Director of the Budget Office, welcoming representatives from at least 12 hospitals across the country, emphasized the importance of redoubling efforts to improve healthcare spending for the benefit of the nation's growth and development. "The public budget for healthcare is limited due to low tax revenue, high levels of debt exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and macroeconomic shocks stemming from the war between Russia and Ukraine and rising inflation. Therefore, to have a financially sound healthcare system, we must make the budget more efficient," Rijo Presbot stressed during the meeting. Among the topics discussed, Rijo Presbot indicated that, with a view to the 2025 General State Budget, promoting good governance involves listening to diverse sectors, considering sensible perspectives, and having the support of the population. "We are here to assist you with your management and evaluate the results achieved by the healthcare system," the Director of the Budget Office noted. For his part, Mario Lama, director of the National Health Service (SNS), addressed the representatives, explaining that among the health guidelines established by the government led by President Luis Abinader is the principle of smart spending, aimed at achieving greater coverage and improved public health. Among the main aspects listed by participants from the health sector were the budget, self-managed hospitals, primary care, the flow of national and foreign residents, human resource planning, supplies, information systems, incentives, administration, procurement process management, and accountability, among others. The entities agreed on the importance of strengthening primary care. As part of the final agreements, strategies for developing inter-institutional coordination were discussed, with the goal of benefiting the most vulnerable sectors. This initiative was spearheaded by Dr. José Joaquín Puello, director of the Luis Eduardo Aybar Health City. “This meeting marks an important step toward building a more inclusive and efficient healthcare system. The government’s commitment is clear: a comprehensive health policy that responds to the country’s needs,” said José Rijo Presbot at the end of the meeting. Also participating in the event were representatives from the Rosa Emilia Sánchez Pérez de Tavares National Cancer Institute (INCART), the Dominican-Japanese Friendship Medical Education Center (CEMADOJA), the Cardio-Neuro-Ophthalmological and Transplant Center, the Dr. Reynaldo Almanzar Maternity Hospital (HMRA), the Dr. Ney Arias Lora Traumatology Hospital, the Dr. Marcelino Vélez Santana Regional Hospital, the Directorate of Management of the Integrated Financial Administration System of the State (DIGES), the Dr. Vinicio Calventi General Hospital, the Dr. Hugo Mendoza Pediatric Hospital, and Isabel Martínez, head of the Division of the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance. Advancing Improvement and Efficiency in Health Services: As part of the discussion on tax reform and its impact on the health sector, Budget Director José Rijo Presbot stated that the reform is based on motivations related to debt reduction, citizen security, and the health sector. Rijo Presbot explained that, despite improvements in the health system in recent years, the government inherited a closed country with limited resources upon taking office; therefore, tax revenues must be increased to better support this and other sectors. A question-and-answer session followed the event. As a result of the meeting, it was agreed to establish a permanent dialogue forum among the participating institutions, with regular meetings to evaluate progress and propose new actions to optimize health services for citizens. The event was held in the Juan Bosch Room at the General Directorate of the Budget (Digepres).