Strategic alliance promotes the Kangaroo Mother Method in the Dominican Republic
The pharmaceutical company MSD and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have reaffirmed their strategic alliance with the goal of continuing to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates in the Dominican territory. During an institutional meeting, representatives from both organizations evaluated the positive impact of the Well-Cared-for Mothers and Newborns initiative, highlighting significant progress in hospital care.
Expansion of the Kangaroo Mother Care Method
One of the main pillars of this collaboration is the implementation of the Kangaroo Mother Care Method, a vital technique for the development and survival of premature or low-birth-weight babies. Thanks to this joint effort, this strategy has achieved a remarkable expansion, going from being present in only four health centers to currently operating in 28 hospitals nationwide.
The figures presented reflect the impact of this deployment:
- More than 20,000 newborns have benefited from specialized care.
- 42% reduction in neonatal deaths during 2025, when comparing the results with the statistics recorded in 2021.
- Substantial improvement in the quality of neonatal health services in prioritized centers.
At MSD, we reiterate our commitment to reducing maternal and neonatal mortality in the Dominican Republic. Our contribution is aimed at preventing these unnecessary deaths by supporting the implementation of strategies that improve the quality of care in health services.
Andrés Barreto, Director of Public Policy and Communications for MSD in Central America and the Caribbean.
Comprehensive approach to youth well-being
In addition to the actions focused on early childhood, the day allowed for the presentation of the digital platform KLK (Qué Lo Qué). This tool, developed by UNICEF, is designed to provide guidance to adolescents and young people on critical topics such as mental health and educational development, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to the integral well-being of the young population in the country.
This collaboration between the private sector and international organizations underscores the importance of cooperation to strengthen the Dominican healthcare system, ensuring that families have access to quality medical services that protect life from its earliest stages.
