Santo Domingo.– The Dominican Medical Association (CMD) asserted that the 24-hour national strike called in rejection of the arrest of oral and maxillofacial surgeon William Almánzar and his clinical assistant, Franklyn Almánzar, was a “resounding success,” while reaffirming that it will continue legal and legislative actions against Law 74-25 and several articles of the Penal Code.
During a press conference, the president of the guild, Luis Peña Núñez, stated that the strike demonstrated the unity of the medical union in its 135-year history and highlighted that, despite the protest, critical areas of the hospitals were not neglected.
“Doctors, without ever neglecting critical areas, demonstrate the quality and strength that identifies us,” he/she expressed.
The leader especially congratulated the CMD branch in La Vega, which he described as a “true example of a banner of struggle,” and recognized the leadership of its provincial president.
Peña Núñez reported that the union has already filed a direct action of unconstitutionality before the Constitutional Court against provisions of Law 74-25 and explained that it also presented observations to the National Congress regarding articles 8, 9, 12, and 354 of the Penal Code, which, as he maintained, affect the professional practice of doctors and other sectors, including the media.
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Likewise, he indicated that the CMD will formally resubmit its modification proposals to both the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies before the deadline established by Congress.
William Almánzar Case
Regarding the judicial process against William Almánzar, it was reported that a judge ordered his release through a financial guarantee and periodic reporting.
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The president of the CMD maintained that initially the specialist was accused of alleged medical malpractice and his status as a doctor and his professional certification were called into question.
However, he assured that the guild presented documentation certifying that Almánzar is a doctor who graduated from the Universidad Católica del Cibao (UCATECI), with a specialty in maxillofacial surgery completed at the José María Cabral y Báez Regional University Hospital, endorsed by the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM).
He also stated that his exequatur and medical registration number were submitted, after which, according to him, the lawsuit against him was modified.
“He is a general practitioner and maxillofacial surgeon. It is not true that he is not a doctor,” he stated when answering questions from the press regarding the investigation.
Investigation into alleged embezzlement
When asked about the status of the investigation into the alleged embezzlement of CMD social plans, Luis Peña Núñez indicated that the process is still ongoing and assured that, once the union has all the legal elements, it will offer further details on the actions taken.
The strike called by the CMD took place one day after the arrest of William Almánzar and Franklyn Almánzar in La Vega, in a protest that led to the suspension of consultations and other non-essential services in public hospitals across various provinces, while emergency and critical care areas remained operational.
