Run a Maternity and Neonatal Unit in Haiti

Making the right choices about healthcare for you and your family in Haiti isn't easy. Sometimes there is a choice and sometimes there isn't but making the wrong decision can prove to be a tragic mistake. It isn't;t like the UK where there is always somewhere local to go if we are in need. So we think it's our responsibility to not only provide the health services people need, but also make as many people aware of the choices they have and how to make them. 

We recently met a mother called Altanise who gave birth at our hospital. Her story starts long before she was pregnant. Whilst training to be a nurse herself she completed one of her rotations at HCBH and saw then the high level of care provided at the hospital whilst working in the NICU. She lives in a town near the border to the Dominican Republic, about a 45 minute drive away. Because of this distance she did not come to HCBH for her prenatal consultations. She had her prenatal consultations at a clinic near her home and also had an ultrasound, making her aware that she would be expecting twins. Knowing the high level and quality of care received at HCBH, when Altanise started going into the labour she made the long journey to HCBH.

Altanise needed a c-section in the end because one of the babies was breach. The procedure went well, two healthy baby boys were born, and needed to go to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for a little bit, but were soon reunited with their mother. After a few days recovering in the department she was able to go home. She also received some training on breastfeeding as we had a visiting nurse from the US working in the department that week, who provided much encouragement as even a few days after the birth she was struggling to produce milk. These were her first children.

A different mother, who may not have known what was available at our hospital may not have made the journey to give birth. With the complications that occurred in this story, the outcome of this birth outside of the hospital could have easily been tragic. We're so glad Altanise chose to make the long journey to us, and she is too!

Thank you so much for your continued support of our maternity and paediatric care at our hospital. Lives are saved every day thanks to your support. 

Links:

• HHA maternity work