Luis Abinader inaugurates a modern emergency room at Villa Riva Hospital.

President Luis Abinader led the inauguration of the remodeling and expansion of the emergency area of ​​the Alicia de Legendre municipal hospital in Villa Riva this Sunday, an event that generated jubilation in the community but also served as a stage to raise pending demands in health, road infrastructure, energy, and culture.

The ceremony began with a blessing from parish priest Hanley Sosa of the San Antonio de Padua Church. Provincial Governor Xiomara Cortés welcomed the president, emphasizing that Villa Riva had demanded adequate medical care for years:

"This cry was heard by a government that didn't come to promise, but to deliver. A government that doesn't look from afar, but reaches out, listens, and works with the people and for the people," he said.

The renovation included the creation of a trauma area, a cardiopulmonary resuscitation room, a fully equipped operating room, new triage areas , a treatment area, a laboratory, an X-ray room, an ultrasound room, a sterilization room, climate-controlled inpatient care, and medical offices. It also features a new, donated ambulance.

Several community members and medical staff expressed their satisfaction : "Everything here is new . This has never been seen before. Now we're going to have to tell patients to come wearing a coat, because the heat is over," commented a nurse , laughing.

Another council member declared: " Villa Riva is celebrating . This was a dream we fought for for years, and today it's a reality."

The director of the National Health Service (SNS), Mario Lama, explained that the total investment was 67 million pesos , including 23 million for the new emergency, 18 million for general renovations, and 25 million for completely new medical equipment .

Lama highlighted that in the Northeast region , 17 of the 22 existing hospitals are being renovated , with 15 already completed, and he announced that the Cenoví and Pimentel centers will also be inaugurated shortly.

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"Never before has so much been built with so little money. Under this government, the little money goes a long way ," said Lama, who also acknowledged that the Villa Riva center needs more specialists to operate at full capacity.

He explained that there is a shortage of anesthesiologists, gynecologists, pediatricians, internists, emergency physicians, orthopedists, and surgeons, even though positions are available.

"Villages rejoice with ambulances, but we don't want ambulances: we want health problems to be resolved in the community ," Lama insisted, emphasizing that starting tomorrow (Monday), the hospital can receive patients in the emergency room , outpatient clinic, and laboratory . The inpatient and operating room areas will be open on July 21.

Community demands: roads, culture, sewers and energy

In addition to the health issue, city council members raised pressing needs , such as the reconstruction of eight kilometers of road affected by landslides in the slaughterhouse area and areas near the Yuna River; improvements to the sewage system , electrical service, and increased investment in art, culture, and sports.

Among the proposals is the creation of a House of Culture and the construction of sports fields.

Criticism of access restrictions

Despite the general atmosphere of enthusiasm, presidential security imposed access measures that some citizens considered excessive .

Journalists had to wait more than half an hour to access the event, and several community members were denied entry for carrying umbrellas, caps, shorts, or sleeveless blouses.

"They told me to go and store my umbrella at home so I could get in. What if I live far away?" said a woman who tried unsuccessfully to gain entry.

Another citizen was turned away for wearing a cap , and a woman was turned away for her clothing.

The restrictions were described as " disproportionate" and "illogical" by those affected.

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