Baby Nixon

Last Friday, after preschool in Lima, Pam was asked to remove stitches from a mother who recently had a C-section. It seemed like it would be a routine medical situation, but what she found was disturbing. The baby was premature & dehydrated. It could barely feed & needed medical attention. However, the mother couldn’t afford to go to the hospital. As a team, we were worried for the safety of the child. We decided to return to San Pedro & seek wisdom from a local doctor. The baby was 3 weeks old & although it looked terrible, we realized it would survive another day.

On Saturday, Jason & Kurt returned to Lima to take the mother & her child to the hospital here in San Pedro. (Side note: The mother recently moved to Lima from Haiti & only spoke Creole. She has no family here.) Pam, the mother, & her baby spend several hours at the hospital getting nothing accomplished. They were told that the doctor was out eating supper with his family & there was nothing the nurses could do besides take the baby’s blood & have them stay overnight for the doctor’s return in the morning. The mother absolutely would not stay in the hospital. She said she had to return to Lima that night. (Reason being: She had spent 18 days in the hospital after the baby’s birth. During that time, she was not given any food or water. The baby was being medically taken care of, but the mother was left to fend for herself. At public hospitals here in the Dominican Republic, family is required to bring you food & water. This mother has no family to help her.)

On the way back to Lima that evening, Kurt & Jason continued to ask the mother what they could do because the baby was in the same shape as when they left Lima that afternoon. She finally agreed to stop at the hospital in Ramon Santana (half way between San Pedro & Lima). At the hospital in Ramon Santana, the nurses were able to give the baby sugar water. They even gave the mother extra packets for the following day, with the knowledge that the mother would return on Monday with the sick child to see a Pediatrician. Also, before returning to Lima, Jason purchased rice, beans, and fresh juice for the mother so she could have the nutrition to feed the baby.

As of today, the mother & baby returned to hospital to meet with the Pediatrician. Once I have more details, I’ll be sure to share them. Thanks to everyone who is praying for this little one!