Public Health closes blood bank for violating regulations

The Dominican Republic's Ministry of Public Health has shut down the Cedalab blood bank and clinical laboratory in Santo Domingo Este. The decision came after an inspection by the Directorate of Health Service and Establishment Licensing found the facility operating without the required health services license. The inspection also uncovered numerous violations of health standards.

Technical teams identified critical deficiencies in various areas, including human resources, blood sample handling and processing, equipment maintenance, patient records, refrigeration, sample and reagent storage, biological waste management, and safety protocols. These issues collectively compromised the facility's ability to meet required health standards.

“

During the verification visit to the establishment located in Villa Duarte, Santo Domingo Este, the technical team identified deficiencies related to human resources, conditions for handling and processing blood samples, equipment and maintenance, patient records, refrigeration, storage of samples and reagents, management of biological waste, and safety measures, among other situations that compromise compliance with the required standards.

Given these findings and the lack of a proper operating license, the ministry's verification report recommended immediate closure. Access to the establishment has been sealed as an administrative measure. The ministry clarified that while Cedalab obtained a "Certification of No Objection to Plans" in July 2023, this document does not equate to a health services license. The facility also failed to initiate the formal licensing process mandated by the General Health Law 42-01 and its accompanying regulations.

“

However, the Certification of No Objection to Plans does not constitute a Health Services License.