In 1996, the Lions Club and the “Sight First” program began a fight against preventable blindness in Cotuí. At this stage, the services were limited to detection of visual problems in patients and referrals to other villages. In 2001, the Health Center opened to the public with a focus on serving those in need. Most of the patients come from the Cibao region, but some patients travel all the way from Santo Domingo to benefit from the quality services offered at a low cost. A general consultation at the health center can cost as little as 300 pesos (approximately $6.75 US). Even at that price, many can still not afford to pay and end up going to the public hospital where they receive insufficient care.
Profits made from the health center also benefit the nursing home. Unfortunately, profits have decreased significantly since February 2014 due to the modifications made to Social Security law. Some of the health center’s patients have been diverted to public hospitals due to the government’s recent changes in subsidy law which affects 90% of the eligible population. The health center also often provides life saving services at no cost if the patient cannot pay.
Looking into the future, we hope to secure funding to buy equipment and furnish the recently built second floor. The second floor was built using a generous donation of $75,000 pesos from the United States Lions Club International. This addition would double the amount of patients seen by the clinic and is the next step in providing sufficient health care for the region and the country. This project has been delayed due to the suspension of government funds.
The Health Center is proud to offer superior eye and diabetes care at an affordable price to the public. We offer a surgical suite that meets all modern criteria and is equipped with a surgical microscope that allows our surgeons to perform various eye surgeries such as cataracts, corneal transplants, foreign body removals, surgery and other interventions. Our eye clinics are equipped with precision equipment and computers such as: slit lamp, auto-refractometer, keratometer, lensometer, tonometer, retinoscope, ophthalmoscope, ophthalmic sonographer, and more. These allow our specialists to provide diagnostic accuracy and for us to become the best equipped health center in the region to serve the needy. In addition to eye care, the clinic also offers glycemic testing and diabetic consultations. This is an important service as Cotuí is estimated to have over 20,000 diabetics living in the area. Below is a complete list of our services.
- Ophthalmology
- Surgeries such as removal of foreign bodies and cataracts.
- Sonography
- Optometry
- Low cost glasses with frames and lenses under a guarantee
- Computerized Visual Acuity Test
- Biometric Screening
- Diabetes
- Diabetic foot care
- Insulin and Oral Hypoglycemic Drugs sold at lower cost. (Only patients of the health center can purchase medication.)
- Glycemic Test
Gynecology
Dr. Antonio de Js. Cassó García - tel. 809-585-3317
Diabetes and Nutrition
Dr. Alfredo A. Acosta Martínez - tel. 809-886-8740
Dr. Plinio Antonio Flete Pérez – tel. 809-984-2210
Ophthalmology
Dra. Wendy M. Zacaria del Orbe – tel. 809-561-5365
Dra. Ammely K. Pichardo M. – tel. 809-704-7870
Dra. Marlen V. Terrero P. – tel. 829-601-1272
Anesthesiology
Dr. Rafael Sánchez – tel. 829-341-5742
