Life has given Lilibeth Ortiz many blows. The hardest was becoming a single mother, aware of the complications her son would endure at birth. Thanks to the Guayaquil Junta de Beneficencia's opportune help she was attended to at the Enrique Sotomayor Maternity Hospital during all nine months of pregnancy. Her baby was born with Down syndrome and a serious cardiac problem; however his quality of life, at present, has improved on receiving the treatment he needs at the Dr. Roberto Gilbert Children´s Hospital, all free of charge.
Lilibeth remembers her mother took her to the Enrique Sotomayor Hospital when she was 3 months pregnant. There she was able to talk to social workers who, after being informed of her case, helped her right away. This young mother received appointments and controls free of charge but after seven months of pregnancy and ecography, doctors pointed out she had no amniotic liquid and had to be operated on immediately since her baby could be born with additional problems. "My blood pressure went up, I fainted, I felt terrible, I didn´t know what to do since I knew I didn´t have the means", she commented.
Fortunately Lilibeth received all possible help at the Hospital. Young Jesus was kept at the just-born observation area where he received all the care he needed. In spite of a disheartening diagnosis for her son, from the beginning, she felt happy to hold him in her arms.
After a few days, bad news came by: Jesus suffered severe cardiopathy. The Enrique Sotomayor Hospital Social work team contacted the Dr. Roberto Gilbert Children´s Hospital, both from the Guayaquil Junta de Beneficencia, so that the child would receive the care he needed. At the Pediatric Health Center, cardiological and neurological exams were taken as well as blood tests, X-Rays and genetical exams for additional information regarding his health at present, Jesus is receiving treatment which will allow him to improve his quality of life. "It has all been free of charge, the medicine, ecography...I was well attended to during my pregnancy at the Maternity ward.
I was involved in some courses given there all free and of excellent quality. Now, at the Roberto Gilbert, I find excellent nurses and doctors and, because attention is first-rate, I can say it is the best Children's Hospital... I am grateful to God, the Guayaquil Junta de Beneficencia and all those people who work at its hospitals. I wholeheartedly thank them and hope they continue to help more people and may God bless them all", she concludes.
