Our organization works in the bateys, sugar plantations , and prisons of the Dominican Republic . These groups are vastly medically underserved. We work with the local medical services to augment care already given in these areas and facilities . Cross Cultural Medicine of Hispaniola is one of the few outside groups allowed into the prison system . Referrals to the more advanced care often result from our visits. Our team usually consists of physicians , nurses , pharmacists , as well as local physicians and translators.
The workers in the bateys are mostly Haitian who have left their native land to escape the continually deteriorating conditions. They have limited access to medical care which has diminished more recently with the influx of more Haitians across the border. This group in particular benefits from added general medical care.
Prisoners in the Dominican Republic have very limited access to general medical care . As one of the few groups who go into these facilities we can see as many as several hundred patients in a day treating conditions such as hypertension , diabetes and a wide range of infectious disease.
Identification of relatively silent diseases such as hypertension and diabetes can make a significant difference in patients long term outcomes. The system , once treatment is begun , can usually sustain the prescribed medicine regimen.
Our group in addition to once or twice a year visits maintains regular contact with the local health care providers on a consultative basis.
We have greatly appreciated the Doximity Foundation's support for our mission in the Dominican Republic
Cross Cultural Medicine on Hispaniola ( CCMH) was in the Dominican Republic for the week of November 2 - 9, 2024 . The team consisted of eight physicians , three pharmacy support members , two nurses , two local dentists , eight translators and several local logistic personnel.
Approximately 800 patients were seen over a five day period . Sites included the batey ( sugar plantation ) of Solano , a Haitian church in San Pedro and three prisons in Higuey , Seibo and La Romana.
The healthcare system is under tremendous pressure largely related to the large number of Haitians coming across the border to escape the horrible living conditions and oppression by the many local gangs.
In the bateys patients included children , adults and the elderly. Almost all of the people living in the bateys are of Haitian decent. Chronic and acute illnesses were seen and treated. Common chronic problems seen in adults were high blood pressure and diabetes . In the pediatric population most issues were infectious disease related such as otitis media and bronchitis. Failure to thrive , mostly nutrition related, was addressed by additional food distribution.
In the prisons the patients were adult men and women. The same chronic conditions were seen here as in the bateys. More orthopedic injuries were encountered and treated as much as possible . Referrals to more advanced treatments were attempted but are limited in availability to the prisoners.
Cross Cultural Medicine on Hispaniola's impact on the healthcare the patients seen relates not only to the exams and treatments rendered. Additionally our organization works directly with the local healthcare systems to provide follow up for patients with chronic conditions and more advanced care for patients with conditions requiring it.
CCMH has recently developed a relationship with the University of South Alabama Medical College, many of our physicians are graduates. . Emergency Medicine faculty member Dr Grace Lagasse has specific interest in global medicine and was responsible for two residents joining our group. In the future we hope to have medical students participate in our program . Potential to provide longitudinal follow up and research will be enhance by our new academic relationship.
We would like to thank the Doximity Foundation for it's continued support. We look forward to working with your organization in the future.
Sincerely,
Kyran Dowling
