Expanding Health Initiatives in the Dominican Republic
Project HOPE has announced an expanded intervention aimed at drastically reducing maternal and neonatal mortality in the Dominican Republic. Through two interconnected programs, the Saving the Newborn Initiative and the 5-Star Model, Project HOPE will strengthen the continuum of care from primary clinics to specialized hospital wards over the next two years.
This expansion builds on nearly three decades of sustained engagement in the country. Since 1996, Project HOPE has worked alongside Dominican health authorities to strengthen maternal and newborn care, reaching some of the most vulnerable populations and contributing to lasting improvements in clinical capacity and service delivery.
While 99% of births in the Dominican Republic occur in hospitals, maternal and neonatal mortality rates remain significantly higher than regional averages. In La Romana, the maternal mortality ratio has increased, and 60% of these deaths are linked to preventable hypertensive disorders. Furthermore, the region faces high rates of prematurity and a significant adolescent pregnancy rate of 22.34%.
Project HOPE’s Saving the Newborn Initiative has a proven track record in the Dominican Republic, having previously strengthened neonatal care in five public referral hospitals. These past interventions combined the provision of life‑saving medical equipment with intensive clinical training for neonatal teams, contributing to measurable improvements in the management of prematurity, neonatal asphyxia, and other leading causes of newborn mortality. The current intervention represents the next phase of this successful model, deepening impact by consolidating hospital-level excellence while strengthening referral and follow-up systems.
“Building on the 30 years of history in the Dominican Republic, these initiatives represent a natural progression of our work,” said Adriana Wanderlinder, Project HOPE’s Program Director for the Dominican Republic. “By equipping healthcare workers with both the tools and the training they need, we ensure that every mother and newborn in La Romana receives the dignified, high-quality care they deserve.”
This iteration of Project HOPE’s Saving the Newborn program represents an investment specifically designed to support the Hospital Provincial Dr. Francisco Antonio Gonzalvo. This initiative targets the leading causes of neonatal mortality by equipping the facility with sophisticated medical technology, including hybrid high-low frequency ventilators, portable neonatal X-ray machines, and digital neonatal scales. Additionally, the program provides intensive, hands-on training for doctors and nurses in advanced neonatal resuscitation and the comprehensive management of extreme prematurity. Supported by partners such as Dan Phelan, Larry Phelan, George Lindemann, Dick Clark, and the Peter and Elsa Soderberg Charitable Foundation, these efforts ensure that healthcare teams can act decisively during the critical first hours of a newborn’s life.
Complementing this clinical focus is the 5-Star Model, a program that extends interventions to 10 additional primary healthcare facilities across the province. This pillar emphasizes prevention and community-level engagement through Project HOPE’s “5-Star Mother” and “5-Star Youth” frameworks, which deliver evidence-based training to frontline physicians and community health promoters. By providing essential tools like obstetric examination tables and fetal dopplers to local clinics, the program strengthens the health system’s ability to detect risks early and manage complications such as hypertensive disorders before they become life-threatening.
The 5-Star Model builds on Project HOPE’s long-standing collaboration with the Peter and Elsa Soderberg Charitable Foundation, which has supported transformative maternal and reproductive health interventions in La Vega and Santo Domingo. Through investments in clinical training, nursing leadership, and adolescent health education, this partnership has helped establish a scalable model for prevention-focused, community-connected care—now being expanded and institutionalized through the creation of a national network of Sexual and Reproductive Health Champions.
A cornerstone of this second pillar is the creation of a national network of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Champions. Known as Soderberg Scholars, these certified nursing leaders from 11 provinces will serve as a permanent cadre of experts dedicated to elevating standards of care nationwide. To further bridge the gap between clinical care and community awareness, the initiative will also feature culturally sensitive educational video capsules in facility waiting areas. These videos empower pregnant women, adolescents, and families with the knowledge needed to protect their own health and navigate the local healthcare system with confidence.
These programs are designed in strict alignment with the Dominican Republic’s National Strategic Plan for the Reduction of Maternal and Neonatal Mortality. By partnering with the Ministry of Public Health (MSP) and the National Health Service (SNS), Project HOPE ensures that new clinical protocols and equipment are integrated permanently into the national health system.
For press inquiries, please contact media@projecthope.org.
