22 Mar 2010

CUBA / BABY HOSPITALS

With a history of poverty and political strife, Cubans have experienced much deprivation over the years. But access to basic services, such as healthcare, is available to all – especially children. UNICEF

Posted at: March 22, 2010 4:56 pm

Duration: 02:34

Available in: SD

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STORY: CUBA / BABY HOSPITALS
TRT: 2:34
SOURCE: UNICEF
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: SPANISH / NATS

DATELINE: 2 OCTOBER 2009, HAVANA, 30 SEPTEMBER 2009 SANCTI SPÍRITUS, CUBA

SHOTLIST:

1. Various street scenes, Sancti Spíritus
2. Wide shot, exterior, General Camilo Cienfeugos provincial hospital, Sancti Spíritus
3. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) José Juan Ortiz Brú, UNICEF Cuba Representative, Havana
Maternity Ward:
"I think that Cuba is one of the countries where the CRC is most widely realized, which means that there are many public policies in place to guarantee children's development. Undoubtedly, the reach and quality of 'child and mother friendly' hospitals in Cuba sets one of the highest standards in the world. In fact, every hospital in Cuba has been awarded the distinction."
4. Med shot, 'baby and mother friendly' hospital sign
5. Various shots, hospital interiors, General Camilo Cienfeugos provincial hospital
6. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Dr. Gladys Figueredo Echagüe, Deputy Director, Maternity Ward, General Camilo Cienfeugos provincial hospital, Sancti Spíritus:
"Dr. Gladys Figueredo Echagüe: During the first 48 hours, we ensure that the mother is always by the child's side, that she breastfeeds him or her on demand over the first 15 minutes of the child's life. We ensure that the families participate in this process, and ensure that 98% of our newborns are sent home breastfeeding exclusively."
7. Various shots, maternity ward General Camilo Cienfeugos provincial hospital
8. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Dr. Gladys Figueredo Echagüe, Deputy Director, Maternity Ward, General Camilo Cienfeugos provincial hospital, Sancti Spíritus:
"Babies weighing between 1.5 and 2 kg at birth and lower than normal gestation periods are admitted in the 'skin-to-skin' ward. There, children remain hospitalized with their mothers, living with them 'skin-to-skin'.We can ensure a better quality of life and improved physical and mental development for these children. Compared to an incubator, we provide a much better connection to the family, with the parents."
9. Various shots, skin-to-skin ward shots, General Camilo Cienfeugos provincial hospital
10. Med shot, children at play 
11. Med shot, children walking down street 
12. Med shot, track and field practice, Sancti Spíritus

STORYLINE:

The Convention on the Rights of the Child states that nations "shall ensure to the maximum extent possible the survival and development of the child." One country that has made great strides is Cuba, where hospitals friendly to newborns and their mothers cover the island.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish) José Juan Ortiz Brú, UNICEF Cuba Representative, Havana
Maternity Ward:
"I think that Cuba is one of the countries where the CRC is most widely realized, which means that there are many public policies in place to guarantee children's development. Undoubtedly, the reach and quality of child and mother friendly hospitals in Cuba sets one of the highest standards in the world. In fact, every hospital in Cuba has been awarded the distinction."

Post-delivery care is one of the hallmarks of child and mother friendly hospitals.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Dr. Gladys Figueredo Echagüe, Deputy Director, Maternity Ward, General Camilo Cienfeugos provincial hospital, Sancti Spíritus:
During the first 48 hours, we ensure that the mother is always by the child's side, that she breastfeeds him or her on demand over the first 15 minutes of the child's life. We ensure that the families participate in this process, and ensure that 98 percent of our newborns are sent home breastfeeding exclusively.

Underweight infants benefit from a different child and mother friendly intervention.

Dr. Gladys Figueredo Echagüe, Deputy Director, Maternity Ward, General Camilo Cienfeugos provincial hospital, Sancti Spíritus:
"Babies weighing between 1.5 and 2 kg at birth and lower than normal gestation periods are admitted in the 'skin-to-skin' ward. There, children remain hospitalized with their mothers, living with them 'skin-to-skin'. We can ensure a better quality of life and improved physical and mental development for these children. Compared to an incubator, we provide a much better connection to the family, with the parents."

Providing children with the best start in life is only the first of many rights envisioned by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which protects the rights of young people until their 18th birthday.