Implicated in Senasa Case: 'Corruption Was the Norm'

Corruption was reportedly the standard practice within the Dominican Republic's National Health Insurance (Senasa), according to one of the individuals implicated in a wide-ranging investigation. The Public Ministry revealed that this statement emerged during an interrogation related to the alleged embezzlement of funds.

Wilson Camacho, the Director of Persecution at the Public Ministry, indicated that Senasa's budget may have been depleted by nearly 16 billion pesos. This alleged financial mismanagement occurred during the tenure of Santiago Hazim, who managed the institution from 2020 to 2025. Camacho did not disclose the identity of the individual who made the "corruption was the norm" statement, nor did he provide specific details on the extent of the irregularities affecting the state-run health insurer, which serves over 7 million Dominicans, predominantly from lower-income groups.

Camacho made these remarks as he left the courthouse, where the Public Ministry was requesting a delay in submitting the formal charges. The prosecution is seeking an additional four months to compile its case against the arrested individuals. Camacho justified the extension by explaining that Senasa was allegedly targeted by multiple criminal networks, necessitating a thorough investigation to unravel their operations.

The case involves alleged corruption within the state health insurance administrator, impacting a significant portion of the Dominican population. The Public Ministry's request for more time underscores the complexity and scale of the alleged financial crimes being investigated.

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Corruption was the norm.