Dominican Republic and U.S. Strengthen Health Ties in High-Level Washington Meeting

The Dominican Republic and the United States have moved to deepen their health cooperation following a high-level meeting in Washington between Vice President Raquel Peña, Health Minister Víctor Atallah, and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The talks focused on implementing a five-year, US$60.8 million Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in February, covering epidemiological surveillance, laboratory capacity, digital health, and emergency response Source: elcaribedr.

Key areas of cooperation

• Both sides exchanged views on the U.S. initiative Make America Healthy Again (MAHA), which emphasizes prevention of chronic diseases through nutrition, physical activity, and metabolic health Source: hoydo.
• Dominican officials highlighted the country's potential to contribute to regional supply chain resilience by producing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and strategic generic drugs Source: listindiario.
• The meeting also addressed mental health, obesity, non-communicable diseases, and collaborative research in artificial intelligence and precision medicine Source: eldiado.

According to elcaribedr, the cooperation now goes beyond emergencies to include data, technology, and chronic disease management. Peña reaffirmed the government's commitment to strengthening cooperation with the U.S., while Atallah stressed that prevention, innovation, and research are the pillars of future health systems Source: infobae.