Abinader receives substantial backing on his efforts to manage COVID-19 pandemic
Santo Domingo. – The call that President Luis Abinader made to the Dominican society to unite to face the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused 88,127 cases with 1,501 deaths, has gotten a substantial backing of both opposition parties, the health unions, businessmen, as well as of the religious leaders, who understand it is a matter of the nation.
“This is a matter of our entire nation. If everyone joins us, I can guarantee that we are going to defeat COVID and that our health will change forever,” said the president this Wednesday, highlighting that the pandemic requires action by the entire country, and agreements for both prevention and treatment of the virus.
He asked the country “to join us, all united in this great task, which is a patriotic objective and above the political flags and criteria”.
As measures, he briefed that they will buy 100,000 PCR tests and authorize the increase of 7,000 daily tests and the opening of seven laboratories, the Public Health budget will increase by RD$ 16 billion, will hire a thousand doctors, and will distribute hygiene kits against the virus.
Backing
Following the president’s request, the political coordinator of the People’s Force party (Fuerza del Pueblo), Radhames Jimenez, supported the call and considered President Abinader’s proposal to successfully face the crisis.
“The situation in the country warrants it. We are facing a pandemic that has caused a health crisis with disastrous consequences for our economy,” he said.
In the same terms, Dr. Ramon Alvarado Mendoza, head of the Ministry of Health of that organization, gave the go-ahead to all the measures.
The general secretary of the Christian Social Reform Party (PRSC), Ramón Rogelio Genao, expressed the support of their entity to the president’s proposal. “The health of the Dominicans comes first! Very well done president ”, he emphasized.
Meanwhile, Gustavo Sanchez, spokesman for the Dominican Liberation Party deputies, said that they will always be willing “to collaborate to face together the challenges that have everyone on their knees and especially our country, such as the health crisis caused by COVID- 19″.
For the president of the Quisqueyano Christian Democratic Party (PQDC), national deputy Elías Wessin Chavez, what Abinader planted is a very successful step, “which should have been initiated by the previous government, but ignored it.”
“A tragedy like COVID-19 must be faced decisively by all the forces in the country, in unity and without distinction of colors,” he said. He considered that it is a serious issue that requires consensual and well thought out solutions, given its level of complexity.
Businessmen support
Circe Almanzar, vice president of the Association of Industries of the Dominican Republic (AIRD), said that she would join this dialogue since the implications of the virus have a greater scope than the health issue. “It is important to discuss everything that has to do with financial sustainability, with economic activity and the repercussions that the coronavirus has on the Dominican society,” he said.
Leonel Castellanos, president of the Herrera National Association of Companies and Industries (Aneih), announced that they will join the dialogue. “You have to find a solution to the health issue and seek the support of all citizens. Also, this must be complemented with the efforts of the authorities”, he considered.
Religious leaders
The executive director of the Social Service of Dominican Churches, Pastor Lorenzo Mota King, supported the request for unity, stating that the COVID-19 situation not only affects the Government but is a situation in which all citizens and institutions, public and private, must take action.
“The Government alone will never be able to take action if it does not have the participation of the sectors of the nation,” said Mota King, who specified that it must be a real summit to listen to opinions and take action on the covered topics.