The Ministry of Public Health and the National Health Service (SNS) are sending new equipment to the main public hospital in Barahona in the southwest to improve medical services in the region. Investigations into the deaths of eight newborn babies at the Jaime Mota Hospital in Barahona revealed a lack of equipment, a shortage of medical staff and lapses in following standard protocols and procedures that may have compromised the health care and safety of patients in the hospital where the deaths occurred.
The interim director of the hospital, Cornelio Rodríguez, told the press the hospital has received new beds, pulse oxymeters, cardio fetal monitors, cribs, phototherapy lamps, gooseneck lamps, incubators, sphygmomanometers both wall mounted and portable for children, as well as oxygen tanks.
The maternity services of the hospital are being relocated temporarily to the old hospital of the Dominican Social Security Institute while physical improvements are made at the hospital.
Provincial Health director, Manuel González, visited the Jaime Mota Hospital to check on the progress of the repairs and to assure that procedures are being implemented that will guarantee the medical facility meets the minimum requirements set by the Ministry of Public Health.
Chanel Rosa Chupany, director of SNS, said that a new director will be assigned to the hospital this week. It has been reported that the current temporary director, Cornelio Rodriguez, is not interested in seeking the new director post at the hospital.
A report released on Monday, 7 May 2018 from the Dominican Medical Guild (CMD) indicates that the Barahona hospital was affected at least four types of bacteria and links these to the recent deaths of newborns at the hospital. Among the bacteria found in an assessment by the CMD technicians were Serratia marcesens (39%), Klebsiella and Staphylococcus (25%) and Escherichia coli (12.5%) when international acceptable levels are 5%.
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Listin Diario
Listin Diario
8 May 2018
