The Higuerito Center began thanks to the effort and dedication of community
members to obtain the right to a health care center in the city of Espaillat.
According to the former president of the Health committee, Nerson Almanzar, the
land in which the center currently stands was donated by Papote Fernandez.
Initially, it was necessary to obtain permission from the government for the
construction of the center. After community members made a two day walk of
protest before the parliament house, the community’s petition was granted and the
construction of the center began. Unfortunately, the physical structure of the center
began to decline and the government was no longer responsible for its
maintenance.
Today the community of Moca receives a new light of hope. Thanks to the Marela
foundation, neglected families will once again be able to access quality health care.
After visiting the Juan Lopez center back in 2018, the critical state of the polyclinic
touched the hearts of the board members and the decision to rebuild the center was
initiated. After being hit by the pandemic, the reconstruction had to be delayed.
However, thanks to the effort and dedication of members of the foundation in the
Dominican Republic and in the United States, the complete reconstruction of the
clinic’s infrastructure has been possible.
The work was performed by the president of the Juan Lopez District health care
committee Pascual de Jesus Marte and the Engineer Sergio de Leon. The
restoration project included ceiling, floors, walls, doors, and windows
replacement, as well as electrical, sanitary, walkways and furniture recondition.
Today the center is beaming with appreciation from the community who is looking
forward to a healthier and safer future.
We are diligently working on the reconstruction of the Higuerito Policlinic. The community no longer needs to be at the mercy of a dangerous and unhealthy health care center. There is hope and gratitude from the doctors, nurses, staff members, and the whole community.
“We are very grateful to the (Marela Children’s) Foundation for all their contributions to the Juan Lopez community; for their great support with medicines and doctors, the great help in the repair and rehabilitation of our center, and for making our center more welcoming and pleasant — for our patients and our team in a habitat of greater comfort for all. Many thanks to Marlene De Leon, president of the Foundation.”
“The (Marela Children’s) Foundation came to our community to show human solidarity both for patients who come to the Juan Lopez Arriba Polyclinic Center and for us as a health team. They provided us with the right to enjoy decent facilities for the care of our patients as well as the technical means to bring quality health for all. Through their great help, we have a renovated center and new equipment and medicines. We are more than grateful and feel privileged to have your collaboration.”