Santo Domingo. – With more than 25 local and foreign exhibitors and panelists taking part and more than 250 people attending, the “ALAMI Santo Domingo 2011 14th International Congress: Better Practices in Health Management Models in Latin America” began Wednesday, an event to analyze the private health systems’ contributions to the region’s social security formulas.

It’s the first time the conclave, held every two years, takes place in the Caribbean region, and organized by the Latin American Private Health Systems Association (ALAMI) and the Dominican Health Risks Administrators Association (ADARS).

In his welcoming speech, ADARS Board of Directors president and incoming ALAMI president (2011-2012) Eduardo A. Cruz stressed the role played by the sector in the 10 years since created by Law 87-01, and in the three years since the Family Health Insurance’s Contributing Regime.

Cruz, speaking in the presence of Vice president Rafael Alburquerque, said the advances in social security thus far have been reached thanks to the joint support of the authorities, the health services lenders and all of the system’s players.

He noted however that some of the health regime’s aspects still need to mature, although the advances are increase as evidenced by the more affiliates joining the system, as well offering an ever expanding coverage.