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Doctors arrested in the DR amid investigation into alleged fraud

Santo Domingo, Sept 18 (Prensa Latina) – The Public Prosecutor's Office of the Dominican Republic expanded its investigation into alleged fraud against the National Health Insurance (Senasa), arresting dozens of doctors and other healthcare service providers.

The operation, named “Senasa 2.0” by authorities, is being carried out by the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for the Prosecution of Administrative Corruption (Pepca).

It marks a new phase in the inquiry into alleged irregularities that reportedly caused losses amounting to millions for the Dominican Republic’s main public health insurer.

Local media reported preliminary figures indicating at least 29 arrests early this morning—mostly medical professionals—though Pepca had not yet released a definitive count of those detained.

According to Dominican press reports, the operations target health centers, laboratories, imaging facilities, and other sites linked to medical service providers.

This phase follows “Operation Cobra,” an ongoing process in which the Public Prosecutor’s Office alleges that a network linked to Senasa engaged in schemes compromising over 15 billion pesos (approximately 235 million dollars) through mechanisms involving contracts, special programs, and billing, among other areas.

Former Senasa Executive Director Santiago Hazim is among the key figures facing charges in that investigation.

Authorities maintain that analyzing millions of transactions and documents could lead to the identification of other individuals and networks connected to the irregularities.

The Seventh Investigative Court of the National District recently granted the Public Prosecutor’s Office an additional four months—until December 11—to conclude the investigation and file formal charges against the initial suspects.

The state-run insurer manages health coverage for the majority of the Dominican population; consequently, the investigation is drawing significant public attention due to its potential impact on resources allocated for healthcare coverage.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office is expected to clarify the scope of Friday’s operation in the coming hours, as well as the final number of detainees and the corresponding charges.

abo/arm/to/mpv

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