The Dominican Society of Orthopedics and Traumatology (SDOT) conducted a key visit to the Hospital Dario Contreras, where its president, Dr. Andy De Leon, met with the new director, Dr. Joselin Valdez. This meeting aims to strengthen trauma care in the face of year-end festivities, a high-risk period for road accidents in the Dominican Republic.
Joint commitment to public health
During the meeting, the SDOT offered over 85 sub-specialized orthopedic specialists distributed throughout the country to support emergencies at the Hospital Dario Contreras. Both institutions agreed to promote sub-specialties, medical residency training, and fellowships. The Hospital Dario Contreras operates at maximum capacity, with reinforced protocols to manage the increase in cases, similar to the Ney Arias Lora and provincial centers.
Accident prevention at Hospital Dario Contreras and beyond
Dr. Valdez highlighted an integral review to optimize responses to trauma peaks. Statistics from the General Directorate of Land Transportation indicate that in December last year, over 2,500 accidents were registered in the Greater Santo Domingo, with a 30% link to alcohol and excessive speed. The SDOT emphasizes that prevention reduces hospital loads.
Key recommendations for the population
- Do not drive under the influence of alcohol.
- Respect traffic rules and wear helmets on motorcycles.
- Supervise vehicles before traveling.
- Avoid fireworks without certification and monitor children during celebrations.
This collaboration between the Dominican Society of Orthopedics and the Hospital Dario Contreras responds to a historical pattern: in 2024, trauma hospitals treated 15,000 festive cases, according to data from the National Health Service. Experts like De Leon insist on road safety education to lower numbers, which annually cause hundreds of deaths.
The initiative promotes preventive days and specialized courses, ensuring that the Hospital Dario Contreras, a national reference in orthopedics, leads the response. Members of the SDOT Board of Directors and the management team of the Hospital Dario Contreras reaffirmed their focus on saving lives and strengthening medical education during these festivities.
