The Directorate of Out-of-Hospital Emergency Services DAEH consolidated a historic breakthrough in public health by executing 5,268 safe neonatal and infant transfers during the first half of 2026, a figure that represents a massive increase compared to the previous year and directly contributes to the reduction of neonatal deaths in the country.
The director of the entity, Juan, highlighted that these interhospital neonatal transfers are carried out with strict safety protocols, guaranteeing patient stability during transport from rural areas to highly specialized centers. This operation covers 31 provinces, including hard-to-reach areas such as Independencia and Bahoruco, where access to neonatal care was limited.
Figures that save lives
Compared to the first half of 2025, when 657 neonatal transfers were recorded, the 2026 figure multiplies by more than eight times, reflecting a significant expansion of the program’s operational capacity. This growth is no accident: it responds to a national strategy to strengthen the response to maternal and child emergencies and reduce mortality in the first days of life.
Security protocols in neonatal transfers
The DAEH has implemented joint training with the National Health System (SNS) to perfect the efficient management of neonatal transfers, ensuring that each team is trained in stabilization and management of critical cases during transport.
Risk reduction in remote areas
Atlántico achieved 100% institutional deliveries in 2026, consolidating progress in reducing risks for mothers and newborns, and facilitating the early identification of cases that require urgent neonatal transfers.
The execution of 5,268 neonatal transfers in the first half of 2026 demonstrates that investment in out-of-hospital emergencies is key to saving lives, especially in contexts of geographical vulnerability. With these neonatal transfers, DAEH not only moves patients, but transforms health indicators and protects the future of thousands of Dominican children. The continuity of neonatal transfers is vital to maintain the trend of death reduction and ensure that no newborn is left without timely care.
