On October 21, 2025, Bishop Gérald Caussé, Presiding Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ, visited Dr. Robert Reid Cabral Children’s Hospital in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where the Church donated medical equipment to improve health care.
“Children represent the kingdom of God on earth and the rising generation of every nation,” Bishop Caussé said. “I love this country and its people, and being able to help improve the quality of health care for children is a cause that inspires me deeply.”
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The donation includes more than 40 pieces of high-tech medical equipment, such as multifunctional hospital beds, mechanical ventilators, heart monitors, portable X-ray and ultrasound machines, intravenous pumps, a laparoscopic tower with pediatric instruments, colostomy bags, and other essential supplies.
More than 12,000 children and their families are expected to benefit from this contribution each year and will fully equip 10 pediatric intensive care units. This equipment strengthens the hospital’s capacity to provide timely and specialized medical care for vulnerable patients.
During the donation ceremony, Dr. Melba Jones Luciano, the hospital’s director, expressed her appreciation and emphasized the human impact of the project.
“Each of these devices represents an opportunity for a child to recover — for a mother to breathe a sigh of relief and for a family to hold on to hope,” said Dr. Luciano. “This donation strengthens our mission and reminds us that children deserve the very best from all of us.”
Later that day at the National Palace, Elder Ahmad S. Corbitt, Second Counselor in the Caribbean Area Presidency, and other Church representatives met with first lady Raquel Arbaje to reaffirm collaboration on social projects that promote the well-being of Dominican children.
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During the discussion, Church leaders highlighted the donation to the hospital, which Dr. Luciano said was “historic” and “the first of its kind in the country.”
The first lady expressed gratitude for the Church’s continued support and said the Church’s messages have inspired her since her youth.
“I have always admired the way the Church shares uplifting messages that promote service, hope and love of neighbors,” Arbaje said.
Elder Corbitt thanked the government for its openness to working together on causes that bless families and children.