Colombia: MSF ends activities in Quibdó

Videos and Photos4 May 2010
2 Mnissen Quibdo11 Main Entrance Chocohospital

A sign announces the main entrance of the hospital. Choco Department is one of the poorest area. Photo: Mads Nissen

1 Mnissen Quibdo41 Quibdo Suburb

Many of the hospital’s patients come from areas like this, a Quibdo suburb called Villa de Espania. Photo: Mads Nissen

14 Mnissen Quibdo05 Mothers Attend Antenatal Class

Patients come from a variety of backgrounds:most people in the area are Afro-Colombian, but the hospital also serves indigenous groups who often live far away in remote communities deep in the rainforest. Photo: Mads Nissen

4 Mnissen Quibdo42 Victims Of Sexualabuse Treated

Victims of sexual violence are now offered treatment at the hospital. Photo: Mads Nissen

3 Mnissen Quibdo13 Before Msf Took Over Ward

Before MSF took over the maternity ward, Bejarano said it had water leaks throughout. Photo: Mads Nissen

5 Mnissen Quibdo23 16 Year Old Patient Labor

A 16-year-old is in painful labor. Photo: Mads Nissen

6 Mnissen Quibdo22 After Long Delivery

After a long and exhausting delivery, she had a healthy girl. “In 2004,” said Bejarano, “we had 14 maternal deaths. This year, so far, we haven’t had a single maternal death and for me that’s the most important thing.” Photo: Mads Nissen

18 Mnissen Quibdo26 16yearoldpatient

Bejarano checks on the 16-year-old patient after she has given birth. Photo: Mads Nissen

7 Mnissen Quibdo29 A Woman In Labor Babys Heartbeat Monitored

A woman in labor has her baby’s heartbeat monitored. Photo: Mads Nissen

11 Mnissen Quibdo03 Local Medical Staff Trained

The local staff is trained by an Italian MSF nurse how to use the incubator in the neonatology ward. Photo: Mads Nissen

12 Mnissen Quibdo02 Infant Rests Incubator

An infant rests inside one of the incubators. Photo: Mads Nissen

Mnissen Quibdo28mother Father

A new mother and father share a moment in the maternity ward.Today there are 46 beds in the ward and an additional 16 in the delivery room. Photo: Mads Nissen

14 Mnissen Quibdo05 Mothers Attend Antenatal Class

Mothers and infants attend the hospital’s antenatal care program. Photo: Mads Nissen

16 Mnissen Quibdo08 Patient Nurse

A patient and nurse look out from one of the hospital’s balconies. Photo: Mads Nissen

2 Mnissen Quibdo11 Main Entrance Chocohospital
1 Mnissen Quibdo41 Quibdo Suburb
14 Mnissen Quibdo05 Mothers Attend Antenatal Class
4 Mnissen Quibdo42 Victims Of Sexualabuse Treated
3 Mnissen Quibdo13 Before Msf Took Over Ward
5 Mnissen Quibdo23 16 Year Old Patient Labor
6 Mnissen Quibdo22 After Long Delivery
18 Mnissen Quibdo26 16yearoldpatient
7 Mnissen Quibdo29 A Woman In Labor Babys Heartbeat Monitored
11 Mnissen Quibdo03 Local Medical Staff Trained
12 Mnissen Quibdo02 Infant Rests Incubator
Mnissen Quibdo28mother Father
14 Mnissen Quibdo05 Mothers Attend Antenatal Class
16 Mnissen Quibdo08 Patient Nurse

After five years working in the maternity ward of the only hospital of its kind in Choco department, Colombia, MSF is handing over the ward to the hospital. MSF succeeded in increasing the quality and volume of activities and reducing maternal mortality. There is a commitment from the hospital to continue with the services MSF has implemented.