Dominican Republic

The persistence of malaria , which is transmitted throughout the year, poses a risk of reintroduction on other islands, a threat to foreign visitors, and a loss of productivity, investment, and tourism revenue. Though it’s more pervasive in Haiti, malaria does occur in the Dominican Republic, predominantly along the border with Haiti and in rural areas with high concentrations of migrant laborers — though cases in and around the capital of Santo Domingo have also been reported recently.  

Since 2008, the Center’s Hispaniola Initiative — a cross-border project — has helped both countries by bringing together ministries of health to foster binational coordination for malaria control. This has included integrated activities, synchronized data systems, binational meetings, distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets, and aligned protocols for malaria diagnostics and treatment.  

In 2024, the Dominican Republic reported 1,246 malaria cases — a decrease of 50% since 2010.   

The island of Hispaniola, shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti, has accounted for approximately 90% of the lymphatic filariasis burden in the Western Hemisphere.  

Established in 2008, the Center’s Hispaniola Initiative has worked with ministries of health in both countries to strengthen binational cooperation and provide assistance to eliminate the disease. Efforts have included support for mass drug administration to interrupt transmission, integrated disease surveys, and more.  

In the Dominican Republic, all formerly endemic areas have stopped mass drug administration and have successfully completed at least five years of posttreatment surveillance. The country hopes its elimination of lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem will soon be validated by the World Health Organization. 

People living with neglected tropical diseases, especially severe skin diseases, can experience chronic pain, disfigurement, disability and stigma, often accompanied with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other psychological distress.   

The Carter Center is designing initiatives in the Dominican Republic to integrate the provision of mental health services within lymphatic filariasis care and treatment. Early initiatives include training support group leaders on providing basic care for the most common mental health conditions, morbidity management, and disease prevention.   

Through its groundbreaking Inform Women, Transform Lives campaign, The Carter Center partners with city leaders worldwide to raise awareness about women’s right to access information and to help cities reach women with valuable information and essential municipal services. 

Access to this information empowers women with a stronger voice, enabling them to participate in public life, utilize public services, and make more informed decisions for themselves, their families, and their communities. In the Dominican Republic, this project has partnered with the city of Santo Domingo.

The Carter Center, alongside the National Democratic Institute, has monitored numerous elections in the Dominican Republic, including the presidential elections in 1990, a presidential runoff in 1996, and a free and much-improved election in May 2000. 

More information about all of these elections is available in our publications section.