Clinic built by U.S. military in Los Robles abandoned

[Chirimoya]

Chip - consulting the sindico does not equal consulting the local community. It should be, but you know full well that almost all politicians in the DR serve only one master - themselves.

Minerva - I am pleasantly surprised that three out of the four clinics did end up being useful. As for the fourth one, maybe its location allows for some alternative use? Maybe it is not too late for a spot of genuine community consultation by one of the organisations working in the area.

[minerva_feliz]

Originally Posted by Chip

...To wit, the four other clinics built at the same time in the area are all functioning at full capacity to date.
...

I don't know if this is actually true, I was just repeating what Chip had said. If they were actually built in the town, there is a great possibility that they are being used. Chip, how do you know that the other clinics are up and running?

I also think something needs to be done with the clinic in Los Robles to get some use out of it before it deteriorates and is a complete loss. Maybe it can be taken apart and transported? It does look kind of like a pole barn in the picture. Or install what is needed (electricity and water), but even then the location makes it impractical to use as a clinic. Maybe some kind of fabrica or taller to generate local income? But I can't imagine the bureaucratic nightmare that it would be to transform it into something useful/functional...

[Chirimoya]

Minerva, as you are actually in the area would it be possible to verify the claim? I will also ask my local sources if they know anything.

[minerva_feliz]

Originally Posted by Chirimoya

Minerva, as you are actually in the area would it be possible to verify the claim? I will also ask my local sources if they know anything.

About the clinic in Los Robles?

If it is the same building I am thinking of on the "highway" that goes from Barahona out to the Bateys and Neyba, then yes, I've seen it abandoned for a few years now. I could cruise out that way this weekend and see what's up, take a few pics.

I really do think it's abandoned, I've heard complaints over the radio from over a year ago about how it had NO water to function with. I would be surprised if it hadn't been gutted on the inside and anything of value removed by now.

[Chirimoya]

Yes, and also that the other three or four clinics are actually functioning.

[Chip]

Originally Posted by Chirimoya

Chip - consulting the sindico does not equal consulting the local community. It should be, but you know full well that almost all politicians in the DR serve only one master - themselves.

Minerva - I am pleasantly surprised that three out of the four clinics did end up being useful. As for the fourth one, maybe its location allows for some alternative use? Maybe it is not too late for a spot of genuine community consultation by one of the organisations working in the area.

Chiri, with all due respect I have experience in this area and am sure a directive came from above that the builder of these clinics did not have to consult all jurisdictional agencies. They would have done to quell the inevitable bribing that would have gone on.

As far as "consulting the local community" as far as I know there are no public vetting forums here for presenting to the community for their opinion. Furthermore, decisions are made all the time here and other countries by public servants without direct imput from the community, that is why they are elected - to decide on the voter's behalf.

[Chip]

Originally Posted by minerva_feliz

Chip, how do you know that the other clinics are up and running?

Per the article you quoted:

Los reservistas y soldados estadounidenses, además de este local para alojar una policlínica, construyeron otras en La Lista de Cabral, Mena Arriba de Tamayo y en el barrio Los Solares de Milton en esta ciudad, la cual funciona a toda capacidad.