With public hospital medics on strike indefinitely, demanding wage increases and adequate supplies to serve their patients, the emergency wards at these facilities are brimming with people seeking medical attention. Listin Diario reported on Sunday that the situation was critical in the La Altagracia Maternity ward, the country?s main public maternity hospital, where patients requiring C-sections were being turned away for fear of not having enough fuel to run the power plants and because of the absence of basic operating conditions regarding hygiene and supplies.
La Altagracia reopened its doors to patients yesterday, however, after more than three days of little or no service due to the electricity shortage. The hospital serves the entire nation and is one of the largest maternity hospitals in Latin America. Hospital director Francisco Gomez Sanchez told El Caribe reporters that part of the demands being made by the medical staff were met by the Ministry of Public Health. Air conditioners were being installed, and 1,300 gallons of diesel fuel were added to the emergency generators? tanks. More medicines were received and the doctor told the reporters that he will be looking for RD$2 million to purchase expendable items for the hospital, such as gauze bandages, sutures, antiseptic applicators and related materials.