In Santo Domingo, a desperate plea for medical justice unfolds as one-year-old Dayron Almonte Socias battles Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a severe genetic disorder causing progressive muscle deterioration. His parents, Inmanol Almonte and Genesis Socias, face an agonizing reality: despite constitutional guarantees to healthcare, the Ministry of Public Health and the High Cost Drugs Program have delayed approval of Evrysdi—the critical medication sustaining their son’s life—for over a year.
The drug, priced at approximately 620,000 Dominican pesos per bottle (required every two months), remains financially unattainable for the family. With existing supplies dwindling, Dayron’s survival hinges on institutional intervention. In response, his parents will lead a peaceful demonstration on March 25 at 10:00 a.m. outside the National Palace, urging authorities to honor legal obligations under the Dominican Constitution and General Health Law 42-01.
Article 61 of the Constitution explicitly mandates the state to ensure access to essential medicines and comprehensive healthcare for all citizens. The protest extends beyond Dayron’s case, symbolizing a broader struggle for countless individuals awaiting approval of vital treatments. Community solidarity is urged to amplify calls for systemic accountability and the protection of fundamental health rights.