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The United Nations and human rights groups are warning about the growing number of pregnant women being deported from the Dominican Republic to Haiti, where their lives may be at risk.
In Port-au-Prince, fewer than 40% of health centers are still operating due to extreme gang violence. The University Hospital of Mirebalais, with around 300 beds in Haiti’s central region, has shut down, according to the U.N.
Two other hospitals nearby are struggling with severe shortages of supplies like oxygen and emergency kits. They have treated over 200 patients for gunshot wounds, strokes, malnutrition, and suspected cholera since the Mirebalais hospital closed.
U.N. spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said many deported people arrive in Haiti in very poor condition, often with no money or support. The International Organization for Migration also reported more pregnant women, children, and newborns being deported recently.
The Dominican Republic’s new rules now require hospital staff to check patients’ ID, work permits, and proof of residence. This is part of President Luis Abinader’s effort to tighten immigration controls, while many Haitians flee violence at home.
This week, immigration agents arrested 48 pregnant women, 39 women who had just given birth, and 48 minors. The next day, 78 more migrants were arrested at hospitals, though no further details were given.
Amnesty International demanded that Abinader’s government cancel the new hospital rule, saying it encourages racial discrimination. Haiti’s transitional presidential council also condemned the treatment of Haitians and urged more talks between the two countries.
Abinader visited the border on Thursday, telling soldiers it was “completely unacceptable” to allow illegal crossings. He rejected Amnesty International’s criticism and said his duty is to protect the Dominican Republic.
The current policy is the result of a long running issue over the cost to the Dominican public health service of providing maternity services to Haitian mothers, most of whom are in the country illegally.
In 2024, approximately 35.4% of births in Dominican Republic public hospitals were to Haitian mothers, marking a significant increase from 21.6% in 2019 . This rise is attributed to the ongoing collapse of Haiti’s healthcare system, prompting many Haitian women to seek maternity care across the border .
The Dominican government spent about RD$1.07 billion (approximately USD $18 million) in 2024 on childbirth and cesarean procedures for 32,967 Haitian mothers, averaging RD$32,419 (around USD $550) per delivery .
However, some officials estimate the annual cost of healthcare for Haitian parturients to be between USD $500 million and $800 million, considering additional expenses like prenatal care, emergency services, and complications .
Impoverished and anarchic Haiti is in no position to compensate the Dominican Republic for these costs for caring for its citizens.
Sources: ABC News, Listin Diario, United Nations.
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