Coronel Oviedo Maternal and Child Hospital Faces Leaks, Supply Shortages and Staff Deficit

At the Maternal and Child Hospital in Coronel Oviedo, newborns and mothers are being treated amid leaking ceilings, shortages of supplies and a lack of medical staff, according to on-duty neonatologist Cecilia Rojas.

The hospital does not have enough supplies or professionals to cover every shift, particularly pediatricians and gynecologists. Although officials have been seeking new hires, Rojas said the problem remains unresolved. In some neonatal cases, families receive lists of supplies they must purchase when their newborns are admitted.

“It's very sad to hand a person you can see is needy a list of supplies they have to buy when their newborn enters Neonatology,” Rojas said. The burden, she argued, falls on families even though the items should be provided through the public system.

The building itself shows signs of neglect. A tour revealed areas damaged by leaks and dampness, along with deteriorating sections of the roof. Rojas said parts of the ceiling have fallen or are at risk of falling, including in areas where children are hospitalized. The situation is especially troubling in the neonatal intensive care unit, where infants need safe and hygienic conditions.

After services moved to the General Hospital of Coronel Oviedo, officials announced plans to renovate and expand the Maternal and Child Hospital. Rojas said the work was expected to begin within about six months through an investment backed by foreign credit. Almost two years have passed, she said, without the promised improvements. Pediatric surgeries are no longer performed there because the pediatric surgery staff left the center and were transferred to the General Hospital.

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It's very sad to hand a person you can see is needy a list of supplies they have to buy when their newborn enters Neonatology.