U.S. Embassy Donates Medical Equipment to the Children’s Hospital in La Paz

As a result of a joint effort by several sections and American employees of the U.S. Embassy in Bolivia, U.S. Ambassador to Bolivia Philip Goldberg handed over to the Children’s Hospital (Hospital del Niño) a donation of medical equipment that includes a portable electrocardiograph, a pulse oximeter, a defibrillator, a pump for intravenous infusions, and a special table to transport such equipment.

“I want to highlight the commitment of the Embassy’s Military Group, Medical Unit, HOPE members (a group of mission employees and their spouses), and the Public Affairs Section,” remarked Ambassador Goldberg during the donation ceremony. He also thanked the initiative of Dr. Katia Stewart, who works as a volunteer in the department of child cardiology at the Children’s Hospital. Dr. Stewart identified the need for such instruments and contacted the Embassy for assistance.  She explained the importance of having an electrocardiograph suitable for children and newborns in treating young children affected by cardiac and pulmonary illnesses.  The hospital’s old electrocardiograph was not sufficient to provide a quick diagnosis to the more than 250 patients monitored every month.  It also could not conduct electrocardiograms on newborns nor diagnose health conditions in patients under 30 kilograms (66 pounds).  The pulse oximeter is a fundamental tool in medicine that provides a reliable measurement of oxygen saturation in the patient’s blood. The saturation changes according to the condition of the patient’s heart and lungs.

The Children’s Hospital of La Paz has few such medical items yet they are of particular importance given that cardiac and pulmonary illnesses are exacerbated by the altitude of La Paz. This donation will be used in the general pediatrics section of the hospital.  “We are sure that this small contribution will be of much help to the pediatricians and their young patients in this hospital,” Ambassador Goldberg said.