The current healthcare system in the Dominican Republic is governed by General Health Law 42-01 and Law 87-01, both enacted in 2001. Since the implementation of these laws, the country has made significant advancements as it relates to providing improved care and increasing coverage for the most economically vulnerable members of its society - gains largely associated with the gradual decentralization of medical services that has taken place. As a result of reform, the number of ensured poor increased from 513,416 in December of 2006 to 735,052 in June of 2007 - an increase of 43% (Análisis del Desempeño Económico y Social de la República Dominicana, January - June 2007).
To date, the National Council of Higher Education recognizes 9 universities and 15 teaching hospitals offering 53 residency programs that provide preparation for careers in the medical profession. With regard to research, critical projects are presently being realized in the fields of maternal and infant health. At the same time, the number of institutions that provide access to data via the Internet is growing. Biblioteca Virtual en Salud is an example of such initiatives.
Despite substantial strides in expanding the reach of the health care system, further expansion is needed. According to data provided by the Encuestra Nacional de Salud in 2004 (National Health Survey), the country has 10.3 doctors, 12.7 nurses and 1.6 bioanalysts for every 10,000 inhabitants, and 11% of children and rural areas and 8% of children in urban areas suffer from malnutrition. National and private institutions are presently working to improve the employment conditions of healthcare professionals to increase enrollment in the field.
Concurrently, international cooperation in the area of health in the Dominican Republic is expanding. OPS, UNICEF, UNDP, UNPF, FAO, UNAIDS, USAID, the European Union and the Global Fund for Aids and Tuberculosis are some of the many international entities that conduct work in the country.
InteRDom has partnerships with international and national institutions carrying-out important work in the areas of: HIV/AIDS prevention and care; cancer research and treatment; advocacy for the blind; rehabilitation; family planning and health care coverage. The Program offers internship opportunities related to: primary care, public health, research, advocacy, prevention, health management and nutrition.
Internships Fall 2010
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Implementation of an assessment of the services and staff training programs
Position Open for Students of public health and administration Read more about this opportunity
Steps to Apply
1. Register! Once registered, you will receive an e-mail confirmation.
2. If you have already registered, fill-out the application form and attach your resume as a PDF or Word Document
