“Birth tourism” from Haiti continues to increase. Authorities at Santiago’s largest public hospital, the Jose Maria Cabral y Baez, are warning about the growing number of Haitians with HIV/AIDS who arrive to give birth at that hospital. They described the numbers as alarming, saying that on 30 August of 11 Haitians who arrived, eight were HIV+, which poses a risk for the mothers, their children and the doctors who treat them.
Hospital spokesman Johnny Lama said that the women arrive without any previous medical records, which makes it more difficult to treat them. He said that most of the women come only to give birth at the hospital, which creates a critical situation. He said that 40% of the hospital’s resources go on treatment for Haitian immigrants.
Between 5-9 August, 31 Haitians gave birth at the hospital, 11 on a single day. He said that many of the Haitians come with complications, requiring more space and resources.
“Most come with previous problems, such as severe pre-eclampsia, infections, or HELLP syndrome,” he said.
Making matters worse, most women who come from Haiti to give birth here do not speak Spanish. He mentioned the case of a mother who gave birth to triplets, and did not speak Spanish.
Lama says they suspect that groups are organized to offer illegal birthing trips to the Dominican Republic.
Parturientas haitianas con VIH copan el hospital Cabral y Báez