Minister of Public Health visits Free Trade Zone for Medical Devices in PIISA Park

Haina, San Cristóbal. – The Minister of Public Health, Dr. Plutarco Arias visited this Wednesday the medical device production plants of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation, a multinational that develops heart valves and equipment for monitoring patients in critical condition, located in the PIISA Park in Haina, during an act coordinated by the Cluster of Medical and Pharmaceutical Devices of the Dominican Association of Free Zones.

During the tour of the facilities, the official learned about the technological advances in the development of devices for cardiovascular care, which are manufactured in the country with Dominican hands and which throughout the Covid-19 pandemic period have played an important role in the production of parts contained in monitoring systems that are used by doctors and nurses around the world in the treatment of patients in critical care.

The words of welcome and introduction were given by Mr. Omar Jiménez, plant manager of Edwards Lifesciences Dominican Republic and Coordinator of the Medical and Pharmaceutical Devices Cluster, who highlighted that the sector has experienced significant growth in recent years, thanks to the conditions offered by the country to foreign investment companies in the free zone sector, such as: human talent, technology, logistics, among others.

In the same way, Mr. Luís José Bonilla, ADOZONA president, highlighted that the sector of medical devices in free zones has had an average annual growth of 6.7% in recent years, positioning itself as the main export item in the Dominican Republic and one of the largest generators of jobs and investment.

During the current COVID-19 crisis, companies in the pharmaceutical and medical device subsector have continued their operations with strict security protocols for their employees as they are considered a critical sector to help the health sector in the fight against this pandemic.

The Dominican Republic has become a leading provider of medical and pharmaceutical devices, ranking 3rd. Provider for the United States and 4th. Worldwide.

The minister attended the invitation extended by the Cluster of Medical and Pharmaceutical Devices accompanied by Messrs. Luís José Bonilla, ADOZONA president; José Tomas Contreras, Executive Vice President of PIISA; José Manuel Torres, ADOZONA Executive Vice President, and Omar Jiménez, who in addition to Edwards Manager is the Cluster Coordinator. During this visit, it was possible to visit the facilities of the Itabo Industrial Park (PIISA), where other companies belonging to the medical device sector and other industries operate.

The Minister of Health toured the facilities accompanied by a delegation also made up of the Vice Minister of Free Zones and Special Regimes of the MICM, Carlos Flaquer; Ing. Octavio Medina, Advisor to the Ministry of Public Health; Mr. Alejandro Vallejo, representing the Ministry of Public Health; and the Executive Director of the Council of Export Free Zones, Daniel Liranzo.

About the Cluster of Medical and Pharmaceutical Devices:

The manufacture of medical devices is one of the most dynamic export industries in the Dominican Republic, being the third developing country with the highest export value of medical and surgical instruments worldwide. Currently, thirty-four (34) manufacturers of medical devices and pharmaceutical products operate under the free zone regime, generating more than 26,000 direct jobs.

About Edwards Lifesciences:

Edwards Lifesciences, based in Irvine, California, is the world leader in patient-centered medical innovations for structural heart disease, as well as critical care and surgical management. Driven by a passion to help patients, the company collaborates with the world’s leading physicians and researchers to address unmet health needs, working to improve patient outcomes and improve their lives. For more information, visit www.edwards.com and follow us on Twitter @EdwardsLifesci.