June 27, 2022; Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic– Health Horizons International (HHI) inaugurates the 1st Diabetes Center of the Province of Puerto Plata, which will offer quality, accessible, and affordable services focused on education, prevention, and comprehensive management of people living with diabetes, hypertension, and other chronic diseases.
The Health Horizons International Foundation Chronic Care Center seeks to implement sustainable and comprehensive responses through quality primary care services that prioritize health promotion and the prevention of chronic diseases, especially diabetes and hypertension. The Center will provide quality care and specialized clinical teams, guaranteeing the comprehensive health of the population and also connect patients to a network of services, coordinated with the participation of public, private, and community organizations.
In addition, it seeks to provide comprehensive services, significantly reducing the care gaps that occur due to fragmented health services. It will house a Comprehensive Support Unit that includes peer counseling; formation of support groups; and education and prevention of chronic diseases, comorbidities, and complications such as diabetic retinopathy. Services provided on-site include laboratories (glycosylated hemoglobin tests, blood counts, complete chemistry tests), images (echocardiograms, electrocardiograms, and ultrasounds), physical examinations, consultations, screenings for hypertension and diabetes, and medication.
Dr. Eliezer Lappots-Abreu, Executive Director at HHI stated that:
“This center arises as a response to health deficiencies and social health factors that continue to place thousands of Puerto Plata residents living with chronic non-communicable diseases due to inaccessible to health care. Health factors such as health education, preventive services, geographic location, and lack of transportation, access to quality medicines, follow-up, and support influence the ability of people living with chronic diseases to live a full and healthy life.”
Within the portfolio of services of the institution are:
Dr. Craig Czarsty, as co-founder and first president of HHI, said, “I was very impressed with the new, state-of-the-art facility we dedicated. When we started, we were nothing in the Dominican Republic but two bright and enthusiastic volunteers and lots of ideas. Thirteen years later we have not one but two buildings thanks to the work of our team. More importantly, we have a strong leadership team and a group of dedicated volunteer health promoters. I was very pleased with the government officials who spoke at the inauguration. Both were complementary to HHI and knowledgeable about it. What affirmed me the most was the depth of the emotion. shown by the speakers on behalf of the promoters and especially our patients. HHI has clearly made a difference in the lives of many people in the Montellano area.”
Since the emergence of this new strain of Coronavirus, HHI has continued serving as a bridge for those people most affected during the pandemic. After obtaining their registration under the provisions of articles 100 of the General Health Law 42-01, article 160 of Law 87-01 that creates the Social Security System, and Regulation 1138-03, they have continued to offer a series of clinical services that include health promotion, education and prevention, follow-up and care of chronic patients, home visits, monthly delivery of medicines for basic pathologies, as well as referral and accompaniment to other health centers when warranted, in addition to providing primary care for more than 1,400 families in the rural area of Puerto Plata.
Despite their achievements, the prevalence of untreated chronic diseases continues to disproportionately affect residents of vulnerable communities in Puerto Plata, and the absence of institutions specialized in education, prevention, and comprehensive management of chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension amplifies the gap in access to health and complications related to untreated NCDs.
Currently, patients who demonstrate financial need may pay a small fee that represents less than 5%-10% of the total service provided, which will be used to defray the expenses of supplies. The Center will soon be accepting all medical insurances for greater reach. In addition, as part of the institutional vision, HHI anticipates the inclusion of a diabetic foot unit, a comprehensive services unit, a mental health unit, and a comprehensive prevention and education unit. The institution is in the process of affiliation with service providers with almost all of the most common medical insurances in the country.
The inauguration was attended by collaborators from the Administrative Ministry of the Presidency of the Dominican Republic, the National Health Service, the Regional Health Service, the Mayor's Office of Puerto Plata, the Governor's Office of Puerto Plata, the Montellano Neighborhood Association, ARS Humano, Future ARS, Ricardo Limardo Hospital, Association for the Development of Villa Montellano, Puerto Plata Prosecutor's Office, General Directorate of Customs, Center for Human Promotion and Solidarity, Niditos de Amor Foundation; among other government institutions, community-based, among other representatives of various sectors.
The Health Horizons International Chronic Care Center is located at Calle Principal, local number 3 of the La Caballeriza Sector; located in the Municipality of Villa Montellano, Province of Puerto Plata. To learn more about their services, go to www.hhidr.org, email kgarcia@hhidr.org or phone 809-574-0983.