A new agreement seeks to eliminate bottlenecks in sanitation works without relaxing environmental controls
SANTO DOMINGO.– In a system where building a health center can take as long in terms of paperwork as in construction, the Dominican State has decided to intervene in one of the most critical points: environmental permits.
Through an agreement between the Ministry of Public Health (MSP) and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MMARN), the Government is committed to reducing the bureaucracy that has historically slowed down health projects, especially those related to the construction, renovation and expansion of infrastructure throughout the country.
When paper slows down concrete
According to the official statement, the agreement introduces a simplified procedure for processing environmental permits, with the aim of making each project linked to the health system more agile, orderly and traceable.
In practice, environmental impact assessment processes often become a bottleneck that delays the start of construction, even for projects considered priorities. With this new mechanism, both institutions aim to shorten these timelines without eliminating technical controls.
Minister of Public Health, Victor Atallah, emphasized that the initiative goes beyond administrative matters and translates into a direct improvement in the quality of life of the population, by allowing health infrastructure to be available in less time.
Build without breaking the balance
From an environmental perspective, the challenge has been clear: to streamline processes without excessive flexibility. In this regard, Environment Minister Paíno Henríquez emphasized that the agreement does not imply a reduction in requirements, but rather improved institutional coordination to guarantee efficiency with regulatory compliance.
The agreement establishes clear rules on the responsibilities of each entity, with the aim of ensuring that each hospital, primary care center or health center develops in harmony with the environment.
Parallel supervision and control
As part of its operational structure, the agreement includes the creation of a monitoring committee and the designation of environmental specialists who will serve as direct links between both institutions.
This scheme, as outlined in the statement, seeks to avoid unnecessary delays in the issuance of environmental licenses and certificates, maintaining technical rigor, but eliminating duplications and administrative gaps that have historically affected the execution of public works.
Impact on ongoing projects
The agreement takes on special relevance in the context of the “Program to Support the Strengthening of the National Health System”, financed by the World Bank, which includes interventions at multiple levels of the system.
According to the information, in this process, the Ministry of Housing, Habitat and Buildings (MIVHED) will have a key role in the intervention of first-level centers, while the Ministry of Health will carry out construction and renovation projects in provincial directorates and other dependencies.
Recommended readings:
