Mother Denounces Medical Abuse and Retention of Her Baby at Plaza de la Salud

Santo Domingo.- The young Yeila Miguelina Gamboa Mercado, 23 years old and a resident of the Cristo Rey sector, reported through the media outlet De Último Minuto that on September 3rd she underwent a cesarean section at Plaza de la Salud without her consent, after suffering a seizure while undergoing a macrosomia study. According to what she told the media, she went to the center for a routine procedure when, due to her epilepsy condition, she convulsed. She claims that, instead of contacting her family or requesting the corresponding authorization, the medical staff decided to perform an emergency C-section, alleging that her life was in danger. She maintains that she received no explanation before or after the procedure. The baby was born prematurely and with congenital pneumonia, which is why he remained admitted for eight days, while she was hospitalized for six days. Gamboa claims that during the first two days he did not receive serum or adequate care. She also pointed out that, at the time of discharge, the center demanded the payment of approximately 400 thousand pesos and warned her that they would not hand over the baby until the amount was completed.

Faced with the impossibility of assuming those costs, the young woman sought help from Senasa, where —according to her explanation— she was informed that she was entitled to a refund of the 55 thousand pesos she had advanced, as well as the cost of the study that was carried out before the convulsion, as it was an emergency. However, she denounces that since then she has been sent from one office to another between Senasa, sisalril and DIDA, without receiving a solution.
While waiting for the refund, her baby requires an urgent ophthalmological study, due to the risk of presenting vision problems associated with his premature birth. The mother states that she has not been able to do it due to lack of resources and the lack of response from the institutions involved.

Gamboa called on the directors of Plaza de la Salud and the health system authorities to investigate his case, expedite the reimbursement process, and guarantee the necessary studies for his son. He also warned that, according to testimonies from other patients, this type of situation would not be an isolated incident. “I am a poor person, without influence, but I have rights. I just want to resolve my son’s situation,” he expressed during the complaint offered to De Último Minuto.