Stories & Testimonials

01/01/25 – A new Hope

In the heart of Ouanaminthe, northeast of Haiti, a small but mighty hospital named Sante-Soleil stands as a beacon of hope for the community. On the evening of December 17, 2024, around 8:45 PM, a young pregnant woman arrived at a nearby medical center, her face marked with pain and fear. She was in labor, but complications were emerging. The staff at that center quickly recognized the situation was beyond their capabilities and referred her to a different hospital.

An ambulance was called, and as the vehicle rushed down the bumpy roads, something went terribly wrong. The woman’s labor progressed rapidly. The head of the baby began to crown, and to everyone’s horror, they noticed the umbilical cord wrapped tightly around the baby’s neck. The situation was dire—time was running out.

Without a moment to spare, the ambulance driver made a quick decision to divert to the nearest hospital—Sante-Soleil. The dedicated staff of Sante-Soleil immediately sprang into action. They knew there was no time to transport the mother inside, so they performed the emergency delivery right there, inside the ambulance.

The atmosphere was tense. The baby was born, but there was no sign of life—no cries, no movement. The baby was limp, the umbilical cord still posing a deadly threat. The team at Sante-Soleil moved swiftly, following every protocol of neonatal resuscitation. The seconds felt like hours as they worked tirelessly to save the newborn’s life. Everyone held their breath, watching, praying.

Then, a miracle. The baby gasped, let out a weak cry, and soon after, a stronger one followed. They had done it. The Sante-Soleil team had brought the baby back, saving not only the child but the mother as well. Tears of relief filled the parents’ eyes as they realized their child had been given a second chance at life.

Hours later, the mother woke in the recovery room. Weak but alive, she turned her head to see her baby lying in a bassinet nearby. Tears welled in her eyes as she whispered, “Mesi, Bondye,” thanking God for the miracle of her survival and her daughter’s safe arrival.

The family couldn’t stop thanking the Sante-Soleil staff. They had stepped in at a critical moment and fought for the lives of both mother and baby. This wasn’t just another day at the hospital—this was a testament to their dedication, their commitment to the community, and their mission to save lives.

“We continue serving the community; we continue fighting to save as many lives as we can,” said one of the nurses afterward. “This is our responsibility. This is our mission.”

Sante-Soleil Hospital, though small in size, carries the weight of its community on its shoulders. And that night, it proved once again that it is a lifeline for the people of Ouanaminthe.