Women鈥檚 health and support systems in Dominican Republic

Cheryl Moderator

16298POSTS

last week

Hello everyone,

Living in Dominican Republic often means navigating a new healthcare system and social norms, particularly around women鈥檚 health. From finding the right medical support to understanding what鈥檚 openly discussed or not, experiences can vary widely.

We would love to hear how things work in Dominican Republic, what鈥檚 been easy or challenging, and what you wish you鈥檇 known sooner:

How easy is it to find dedicated medical support for women鈥檚 health in Dominican Republic: gynecology, pregnancy and childbirth, menopause, mental health, reproductive health, etc.?

Are there support groups, communities, or informal networks for expat women in your area?

How are women鈥檚 health topics perceived locally? Are people open to discussing them, or do you notice taboos or stigma?

What services, professionals, organizations, or resources have been the most helpful to you?

What surprised you the most in how women鈥檚 health issues are treated, talked about, or prioritized in Dominican Republic?

Share your insights to help fellow expats and soon-to-be expats.

Thanks,

Cheryl
大咖福利影院 Team

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planner Dominican Republic Expert

17774POSTS

last week

Well this is interesting.

So public health to everyone聽 sucks.

Private聽 health care is decent if you have either insurance or money.

Women's health is secondary.聽 Education of doctors is not the best and many of the older doctors聽 do not do continuing education. There are tons of聽 old wives tales that are accepted as facts!聽聽

Obstetrics is ridiculously far behind.聽聽Our rate of聽 cesarian births is off the charts. The聽 rate of聽 death for women during and after birth is also way way too high!聽 Its all about money and the convenience of the doctor rather than what is best for the聽 mother and baby.聽 I would not recommend any expat give birth here!

Pediatrics -聽 which usually falls to the聽 mother of the child - is聽 behind the times and driven by money.

These are my observations聽 over聽 22 years!

2 members reacted to this post

ddmcghee Dominican Republic Expert

1950POSTS

2 days ago

I tried and tried but could not schedule a screening mammogram in DR! I contacted a number of hospitals and clinics and because I didn't have a problem, they wouldn't schedule one! The concept of screening wasn't something they could grasp!

I also had a really hard time finding HRT in Las Terrenas. The pharmacies rarely had it in stock, so I had to make a point of asking every time I was in one, in the hopes that I could maintain my supply.