Maternal and Newborn Health Clinic: La Saona

Collaboration With Local Ministry of Health

Jimena and her baby, JulianaIn the community of La Saona, Infante Sano is collaborating with the Public Health clinic. One of the issues at the rural clinic is its lack of water. Not only is the water pump not working correctly, but the tank in which they are storing water doesn’t have a large enough capacity for the clinics needs. Building a cistern would be very costly, so along with members from the local health committee, a larger holding tank was solicited from the local ministry of health. Late January, just in time for a community organized “clinic cleanup”, a 500 gallon water tank was assigned to the clinic in La Saona by Public Health.

Angela Varonesa Ariel and Yadel Jose Mordan Ariel

Angela is 18 years old and Yadel is 6 months old

AltagraciasI delivered my baby by c-section in the local hospital. Six days after coming home the wound became infected. My mother took me back to the hospital. I was admitted for 10 days and at the end of this time the doctor resewed the wound and sent me home again.

YadelFour days after being home again, the wound re-opened and became infected. My mom took me to see Dr. Elisa at the local Infante Sano clinic, afraid to take me back to the hospital. The doctor gave me antibiotics and applied treatments every other day for about 3 weeks. The wound has healed, and I havent had a problem since.”
 

Ana Hereaux and newborn Ezequiel, 4 months
Other children: Octavio 2 years old, Flayden 5 years, Yamilesi 6 years

Five months into her pregnancy Ana had yet to go to a clinic for her prenatal check ups. She lives in the poor village of La Saona, which has little access to clean water or electricity, and the closest hospital is a long moto ride away – for residents that even have access to a moto. A neighbor of Ana’s had been brought in to the Infante Sano La Saona clinic by Nena, Infante Sano’s health promoter, and had also received home visits during and following her pregnancy. Ana’s neighbor told Nena about Ana, who lived nearby, had been pregnant for months, and had not received any prenatal care. Nena visited Ana in her home and referred her to the Infante Sano clinic, where she received prenatal care for the remaining months of her pregnancy. Her delivery was a complete success, however, Ana faced hardships in the following days:

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“A few days after I gave birth, Nena came to visit me. I had a bad fever, diarrhea, a vaginal infection and was very dehydrated. Fortunately, my new baby Ezequiel was fine. Nena took me to the (Infante Sano) clinic to see Dr. Elisa. The doctor gave me an I.V. because I was so dehydrated and referred me directly to the hospital where I was admitted for 4 days. During this time I couldn’t breast feed Ezequiel, so the women at the (Infante Sano) clinic helped me buy the baby formula and purified water needed to feed him. I have 3 other children that I also take to the clinic to be seen by Dr. Elisa.”


Thanks to Ana’s neighbor for trusting Infante Sano, and to the work of Nena and Dr. Elisa, Ana had a safe, healthy pregnancy and delivery, and is now at home and healthy with her four children.