The Hospital General Miguel H. Alcívar in Bahía de Caráquez successfully performed a complex surgery on a 29-day-old baby, according to a March 17 announcement. The procedure was carried out as part of efforts by the Government of Nuevo Ecuador and Vice President María José Pinto to strengthen public health services.
The case involved an infant from the canton of Sucre who was admitted with persistent projectile vomiting, which put his nutritional status at serious risk. After technical evaluation and imaging studies, specialists diagnosed hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, a condition that blocks food from passing into the intestine and requires immediate surgical intervention.
Randy Mendoza, pediatric surgeon at the hospital, led the pyloromyotomy procedure, which lasted about an hour. “Thanks to the timely intervention, the patient was able to gradually resume feeding and evolved favorably under postoperative observation,” Mendoza said.
The Ministry of Public Health provided this high-complexity service free of charge, covering all medical expenses that would have exceeded $3,500 in private care. Mayerlin Lucas, mother of the child, praised the staff’s warmth and said that prompt attention helped her son recover. She added: “We were kept informed at all times, giving us the peace of mind we needed.”
Carlos Cevallos, medical manager of the hospital, said these results are due to management focused on equipment and professional development for staff. He emphasized that early diagnosis and specialized treatment are key to protecting children’s development and ensuring comprehensive care in public health facilities.
With these actions, Hospital Miguel H. Alcívar continues to establish itself as a reference point for efficient and humane public healthcare in Manabí province.
