The General Directorate of Migration (DGM) reported that The death of the newborn child at the Haina Immigration Processing Center did not occur due to lack of medical care, since the institution has a sservice composed of doctors, clinical psychologists and trained health personnel who operate the dispensaries located at its headquarters and in Hainaavailable 24 hours a day to attend to any case that may arise.
These teams have the support of the DGM Medical Directorate and their mission is to evaluate the health conditions of all people who enter the processing centers. Those detained only remain for more than 24 hours when they present complex circumstances that warrant investigation processes, purification or the collaboration of their countries of origin.
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The medical staff is also in charge of the registration and initial verification of each detained person to identify and prioritize possible emergencies or vulnerable cases. In addition, they offer medical consultations, complete clinical evaluations, treatment of respiratory and gastrointestinal conditions, control of chronic diseases, prescription and delivery of medications, as well as care for minor emergencies such as wound healing, management of fever, acute pain, allergies and dehydration.
The institution explained that the young Melisa Jean Baptiste, after giving birth at the Nuestra Señora de Regla Hospital, in the Peravia province, was discharged and handed over to the Immigration personnel assigned to that district because she was in the country in an irregular immigration status.
During the initial interview with the acting personnel, the young woman reported that the baby’s father is Dominican, which is why she was transferred to the Haina Immigration Processing Center to validate said information and, if confirmed, proceed with the corresponding protocol to guarantee family reunification.
She arrived at the Haina Processing Center at 1:45 p.m. last Thursday, November 13, accompanied by her baby. Both were evaluated upon arrival, finding themselves in good general health, with no signs of alarm. At approximately 3:00 am on Friday, November 14, she got out of her bed, alerted the surveillance staff and explained that, after breastfeeding the newborn, he became restless, presenting an episode of hiccups, respiratory distress, hypotonia and subsequent absence of breathing.
The DGM agent assigned to the maternity area immediately assisted her and took the baby to the medical clinic. Upon arrival, the child had no vital signs, so basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation maneuvers were initiated and he was transferred in a 9-1-1 unit to the Juan Pablo Pina hospital.
The ambulance team continued advanced resuscitation maneuvers, managing to report a saturation of 69% and an approximate heart rate of 50 bpm; However, it was not possible to restore his vital functions.
The DGM reported that, after the unfortunate event, the young woman began to show symptoms compatible with postpartum depression, such as frequent crying, low mood, expressions of hopelessness, feelings of guilt and elevated blood pressure.
The institution’s medical team classified her emotional condition as “risk of postpartum depression” and recommended psychological evaluation, continuous emotional support and close clinical observation, which is why she currently remains admitted to the Juan Pablo Pina hospital.
The DGM staff also received the alleged father of the baby, who was summoned to verify the information offered by the young woman and to whom all the details of the case were provided. Likewise, the situation was notified to the Haitian Embassy, whose representatives went to the institution and viewed the security videos that show what happened.
The General Directorate of Migration reiterated its commitment to act with transparency, focused on safe and orderly management of migration processes, respecting national and international standards that protect the rights of people, especially those in vulnerable conditions such as minors, pregnant women and postpartum women.
