This week, we share with you a story from 2018.
Ada Luz’s story of hope shows how your support prepares Health Promoters to treat diseases and face health emergencies in their communities. Thanks to your help, Ada Luz can continue to work to prevent child deaths and ensure that the mothers from Apantillo can see their children grow up healthy. Thank you!
In 2018, a mother named Vilsa held her sick baby as radio news reported conflict all over Nicaragua. José was only 23 days old. She was afraid to lose him.
Baby José had been suffering from a fever. He had diarrhea and had been vomiting for four days. Two days before, Vilsa had taken him to the community clinic of Apantillo, where she knew Ada Luz Montenegro, a Health Promoter trained by AMOS, could help him.
“When I examined the baby, I realized he was dehydrated. His eyes were sunken. He had wrinkly skin, and a haggard face. He was in critical condition. I treated him with zinc sulfate, rehydration fluids, and Tylenol,” said Ada Luz.
Ada Luz knew the baby needed a higher level of medical care. She urged Vilsa to take him to the nearest health center immediately.But what she didn’t know was that Vilsa’s husband, like many other men in Apantillo, had just lost his job due to the economic effects of the civil unrest. They didn’t have the $4 needed for bus fare to get to the nearest health center.So Vilsa took her baby home, praying that the medicines Ada Luz gave him would be enough.
Ada Luz knew the baby needed a higher level of medical care. She urged Vilsa to take him to the nearest health center immediately. But what she didn’t know was that Vilsa’s husband, like many other men in Apantillo, had just lost his job due to the economic effects of the civil unrest. They didn’t have the $4 needed for bus fare to get to the nearest health center.
So Vilsa took her baby home, praying that the medicines Ada Luz gave him would be enough.
Fortunately, thanks to the generous support of people like you, Ada Luz was trained not only to treat common illnesses, but also to provide follow-up care to the most vulnerable.
So when Ada Luz talked to one of Vilsa’s neighbors and found out baby José had not yet gone to the nearest health center, she immediately rushed to their home, knowing the baby’s life was in danger.
“I called several people until we got an ambulance for the baby. Given his condition, he was taken directly to the regional hospital [three hours away],” Ada Luz said.
Baby Jose recovered completely, and Vilsa was grateful to have the support she needed at such critical time for her and her family.
Thanks to supporters like you, residents from Apantillo have access to life-saving health care. And, moms like Vilsa can rejoice in seeing their children grow up healthy and strong.