June 27, 2022: Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic – Health Horizons International (HHI) has inaugurated the first Diabetes Center in the Province of Puerto Plata, offering quality, accessible, and affordable services focused on education, prevention, and comprehensive management for people living with diabetes, hypertension, and other chronic diseases.

The Health Horizons International Foundation Chronic Care Center strives to provide sustainable and comprehensive care through quality primary services that prioritize health promotion and the prevention of chronic diseases, especially diabetes and hypertension. The Center will deliver quality care with specialized clinical teams, ensuring comprehensive health support for the population and connecting patients to a network of services, coordinated with public, private, and community organizations.

Additionally, the Center aims to provide integrated services, significantly reducing care gaps caused by fragmented health services. It will include a Comprehensive Support Unit that offers peer counseling, support group formation, and education on the prevention of chronic diseases, comorbidities, and complications like diabetic retinopathy. On-site services will include laboratories (glycosylated hemoglobin tests, blood counts, and complete chemistry tests), imaging (echocardiograms, electrocardiograms, and ultrasounds), physical examinations, consultations, screenings for hypertension and diabetes, and medication.

Dr. Eliezer Lappots-Abreu, Executive Director at HHI, stated:

“This center arises in response to health deficiencies and social factors that continue to challenge thousands of Puerto Plata residents living with chronic non-communicable diseases due to inaccessibility to healthcare. Factors such as health education, preventive services, geographic location, lack of transportation, access to quality medicines, follow-up, and support affect the ability of people with chronic diseases to live a full and healthy life.”

The institution’s service portfolio includes:

• Low-cost consultations and services, referrals, medications, and follow-up for children and families with chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs);
• Clinical services with up to 80% discounts compared to other private centers;
• Community health services such as health fairs and mobile clinics providing vaccinations, educational workshops, and disease screenings;
• Creation of support groups that educate participants on healthy habits through workshops on nutrition, emotional support, physical activity, and other recreational activities;
• Referrals for specialist consultations with dentists, podiatrists, psychologists, nutritionists, gastroenterologists, dermatologists, nephrologists, and endocrinologists;
• Support, counseling, and emotional care for individuals living with chronic illnesses facing anxiety, depression, stress, or grief;
• Comprehensive laboratory services, including advanced blood tests, urine tests, electrocardiograms, glycosylated hemoglobin, and ultrasounds;
• Accompaniment and follow-up of specialized cases;
• Educational workshops certified by the International Diabetes Federation, including a diabetes education unit for doctors, nurses, and health promoters seeking to expand their knowledge of chronic care and NCDs;
• Home visits for those unable to visit the center, with assigned family doctors and health promoters for continuous follow-up.

Dr. Craig Czarsty, co-founder and first president of HHI, commented, “I was very impressed with the new, state-of-the-art facility we dedicated. When we started, we were just two enthusiastic volunteers with many ideas in the Dominican Republic. Thirteen years later, we have not one but two buildings thanks to our team’s efforts. More importantly, we have a strong leadership team and dedicated volunteer health promoters. I was pleased with the government officials who spoke at the inauguration. Both were complimentary to HHI and knowledgeable about our work. What moved me most was the depth of emotion expressed by the speakers on behalf of the promoters and our patients. HHI has clearly made a difference in the lives of many people in the Montellano area.”

Since the emergence of the new strain of Coronavirus, HHI has continued to serve as a bridge for those most affected during the pandemic. After obtaining registration under Article 100 of the General Health Law 42-01, Article 160 of Law 87-01 that established the Social Security System, and Regulation 1138-03, they have continued offering various clinical services, including health promotion, education, prevention, chronic patient follow-up, home visits, monthly delivery of medications for basic pathologies, as well as referral and support to other health centers when necessary. Additionally, they provide primary care to more than 1,400 families in rural Puerto Plata.

Despite their achievements, the prevalence of untreated chronic diseases continues to disproportionately affect residents of vulnerable communities in Puerto Plata. The absence of institutions specializing in education, prevention, and comprehensive management of chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension exacerbates the gap in access to healthcare and complications from untreated NCDs.

Currently, patients demonstrating financial need may pay a small fee representing less than 5%-10% of the total service cost, which will help cover supply expenses. The Center will soon accept all medical insurances to expand its reach. As part of its vision, HHI plans to include a diabetic foot unit, a comprehensive services unit, a mental health unit, and a comprehensive prevention and education unit. The institution is affiliating with service providers covering most common medical insurances in the country.

The inauguration was attended by collaborators from various institutions, including 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, the 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 organizations, and representatives of various sectors.

The Health Horizons International Chronic Care Center is located at Calle Principal, local number 3 of the La Caballeriza Sector, in the Municipality of Villa Montellano, Province of Puerto Plata. To learn more about their services, visit www.hhidr.org, email kgarcia@hhidr.org, or call 809-574-0983.