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    Santiago Children’s Hospital – Bring Your Own… Biopsy Needle???

    By Jac | October 26, 2008

    Over these last couple of weeks I have spent more time in random hospitals and clinics in Santiago than I ever imagined I would. First, a deaf sister from La Vega, a neighboring town, named Roxana was hospitalized and needed round the clock care. She has been back and forth from her city to the large public hospital, Cabral y Baez in Santiago, where we live, undergoing a battery of tests trying to find out what is wrong with her. Several blood tests, ultrasounds, and a bone marrow biopsy later, the doctors still aren’t sure.

    Jessica also got sick last week as well. Actually, she has been complaining about a pain in her side for quite some time now, it just got really bad last week. When I found her crying in bed unable to get up on Tuesday we decided it was time to take her into the hospital. Her tests show her left ovary is enlarged, which, from my research is indicative of cysts… her consult is on Monday, so we will see what the doctor says.

    (Strange, in this country you get the consult, where the doctor tells you what tests to take [they always include blood and urine] Next, you go to a separate lab for the tests, bring your own test results back to the doctor for a second consult, where they actually tell you what JacandArelisyou have.)

    Most of my hospital time however has been spent at the Hospital de los Niños, with Arelis (pictured). She has chronic kidney problems and is in and out of the hospital constantly. They are fighting to keep her off dialysis. She is only 11, and she is deaf as well. She is always in good spirits though, and we have a hilarious time laughing at everyone watching as the two Americans tell stories to the little deaf girl.

    The funding is minimal, so the hospitals provide next to nothing for their patients. Here are some important things you won’t want to forget at home if ever hospitalized at Cabral y Baez Hospital in Santiago (although, as my friends have told me, it would be better to die at home in pain than endure the public hospital.)

    Need a shot? A biopsy? This is a “Bring Your Own Needle” Hospital, so you better be prepared to dish out for any medical equipment that will be used for tests done on you.

    Not your idea of fun? Either don’t get sick or be prepared to go to one of the “Clinicas,” as the pay hospitals are called.

    Topics: From the Dominican Republic | 1 Comment »

    One Response to “Santiago Children’s Hospital – Bring Your Own… Biopsy Needle???”

    1. Sascha Says:
      November 3rd, 2008 at 12:48 pm

      Ah, the adventures in local hospitals. The words of Juan Luis Guerra ring so true in this case!

      http://aleccorday.com/?page_id=20

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