Dr. Jose Pena Gomez’s widow, Peggy Cabral, discussed collaboration with BRA

Peggy Cabral, widow of the late Dominican political figure Dr. Jose Pena Gomez, met in July in Santo Domingo with BRA’s Executive Director, Ulrick Gaillard to discuss the possibility of establishing a working partnership with her office, El Gabinete Social.

The high level meeting was arranged by the State Sugar Council’s Chief, Victor Manuel Baez, who was also present to inform Ms. Cabral of BRA’s positive collaborative humanitarian efforts in the country since 1998. “We seek to work with all parties that are interested in helping to develop the human capacity for those who are in need,” said Gaillard. Preliminary discussions were held around health care and nutrition. “Since its inception, BRA has demonstrated a unique ability to develop strong partnerships various sectors to successfully carry out its mission. We look forward to do the same with the Gabinete Social,” added Gaillard. BRA Dominicana’s Executive Director, Virtudes Berroa was also present at the meeting.

BRA DOMINICANA radicalizes humanitarian health care for Dominican Republic?s poorest.

Since 2000, the BRA Dominicana invested close to US $18 million in humanitarian health aid to enhance the lives of poor marginalized families and children living in various sectors of the country, including the urban slums, the frontier zones and the bateyes. BRA’s health care investment reached a record high in 2003 with $10 million.

Through 10-day annual medical/eye care missions, its mobile health clinic, placement of foreign health volunteers, and the distribution of drugs and vitamins, BRA establishes a health care system that is dependable, sustainable and accessible to all without regards to race, sex, creed, national origin or political affiliations.

Last May, President Hypolito Mejia received at the National Palace a BRA delegation after the organization inaugurated a 30-foot, fully-equipped and staffed mobile health clinic providing care to several batey populations of Monte Plata in the areas of general medicine, pediatrics, optometry, ophthalmology, dentistry, gynecology and preventive health education in HIV/AIDS. BRA is currently negotiating with the Consejo Estatal del Azucar (CEA) to renovate by 2004 a multi-serviced medical center at batey Cinco Casas in Monte Plata.

BRA Dominicana is a Dominican-based non governmental organization with the mission of helping to address the socio-economic and health needs of the living poor through reasonable access to health care and public awareness campaigns. Under the auspices of the Batey Relief Alliance, BRA Dominicana coordinates collaborative efforts with 10 local member organizations to the Alliance, the international community, universities and the church. To carry out its work, BRA develops key partnerships with the Ministry of Health (SESPAS), the Consejo Estatal del Azucar and the Haitian Embassy.

As part of its health care plan , BRA endeavors to provide complete health care to 30% of the entire batey populations by year 2007. Some of the BRA Dominicana Board of Directors include, but not limited to, Ruben Silie, Nexcy De Leon and Cesar Perez.

BRA Dominicana?s main office is located at Avenida Winston Churchill, No. 71, Edificio Lama, Suite 212 in Piantini. Contact BRA Dominicana’s Excutive Director, Maria Virtudes Berroa at (809) 540-4947 or at bra.dominicana@mindspring.com.