During the 2024–2025 biennium, the Dominican Republic became the first country in the Region of the Americas to formally establish a consultative forum within the framework of the Alliance for Primary Health Care in the Americas, consolidating an innovative coordination model to strengthen the first level of care.

PAHO played a key role in the development, establishment, and operationalization of this forum, facilitating coordination between the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance, the National Health Service, the World Bank, and the Inter-American Development Bank. This bimonthly platform enabled the alignment of investments, the avoidance of duplication, and the development of integrated strategies aimed at improving access, quality, and efficiency of PHC-based health services. Through technical cooperation, PAHO provided conceptual and methodological tools to advance the integration of service delivery networks, health technology assessment, and analysis of avoidable hospitalizations, thereby strengthening evidence-informed decision-making and the stewardship role of national institutions.

The Dominican Republic has positioned itself as a regional benchmark, demonstrating how interinstitutional coordination and strong technical leadership can accelerate structural health system reforms. This achievement directly contributes to improving the resolutive capacity of the first level of care, advancing toward universal health, and strengthening the sustainability of the health system.

Photo caption: A steering committee meeting in 2025 to measure maturity in integrated health service networks in Ozama, Nordeste, and Enriquillo.

Credit: Ministry of Health and Social Protection/Communications Directorate.