Prison Mental Health Upgrade: President Abinader swore in a Dominican Committee for Penitentiary Mental Health to expand mental health policies, training, and specialized care for inmates and staff, including new psychosocial centers and mental-health prisons in Azua, La Vega, and San Pedro de Macorís. Medication Access Rules: The Social Security system updated outpatient prescription regulations (Decree 286-26) to keep prescriptions valid for coverage even when doctors aren’t in a patient’s ARS network, while tightening prescription documentation and pushing electronic prescriptions. Water & Sanitation Funding: The Senate approved US$600 million for Punta Cana-Bávaro climate resilience and water/sanitation upgrades, aiming to protect aquifers and improve safe drinking water—key for public health in fast-growing tourist areas. Foreign Credential Oversight: Health and higher-education authorities set stricter criteria for certifying foreign health degrees, especially medical specialties and virtual/hybrid programs, to better protect patient safety. Alzheimer’s Testing Expansion: C2N Diagnostics and SouthGenetics partnered to broaden access to blood tests for amyloid pathology linked to Alzheimer’s across the Dominican Republic and other Caribbean/Latin American countries. Social Security Service Improvements: DIDA recognized 31 good practices by 15 entities to strengthen oversight and improve health services for affiliates, including patient management and prevention of irregularities. Care Cost Crisis: A family in Santo Domingo is seeking public help for a lymphoma patient who has been without needed high-cost medication for months after losing private coverage and awaiting approval from the High-Cost Medication Program. Health at Sea: The Navy rescued two Turks and Caicos crew members after a vessel near Puerto Plata suffered mechanical failure and took on water; both were evaluated by medical personnel and reported stable. Hurricane Season Health Tips: Indomet says the Atlantic hurricane season starts today with mostly dry, hot conditions due to Saharan dust, advising hydration and sun/dust precautions.