Dominican Government Creates Tourist Health Watchdog

Dominican President Leonel Fernandez has just ordered the creation of a healthcare institution for foreign tourists in response to recent infection outbreaks that have hit dozens of travelers in hotels in the eastern and northern regions of the country.

The National Commission on Health and Tourism (CONSATUR is the Spanish acronym) will be made up of several official bodies headed by the Ministry of Health and with help from the Pan American Health Organization.

The new institution will also watch for the health of community sectors linked to the travel industry, according to an official communiqué put out by the National Palace.

Private entrepreneurs will sign up for CONSATUR through the local National Hotel & Restaurant Association

The commission will be in charge of disease prevention, food poisoning control, as well as keeping sexual transmitted ailments at bay, mainly among the visiting population.

The new commission will also count on the participation of the Tourism and Environmental Protection ministries, as well as the Dominican Potable Water and Aqueducts Division.