Health & Foreign matters

JANUARY 2022 | 23

“Care is not just focused on the child and the family, but also actively involves them”

The 200th Year Anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Panama

The HMC Sara de Bronovo Mother and Child Centre at the Westeinde location opened its doors on Sunday 28 November. In this modern and comfortable building, care for pregnant women, those seeking to become pregnant, parents or carers and children aged up to 18 will be integrated as much as possible.

Gynaecologist Kim Boers has been involved in female and child healthcare at HMC for many years now. She has worked at HMC for almost two decades. Initially at the HMC Bronovo location, but in recent years also at HMC Westeinde. When the HMC Sara de Bronovo Mother and Child Centre opens at the end of November, Kim will spend much of her time there. She will also continue to work at the outpatient clinic at HMC Bronovo.

According to Kim: “What has been the biggest change in mother and child care in the last few years? It has to be that we have centralised clinical obstetric care in one place: at HMC Westeinde. Instead of two teams of nurses and doctors in two locations, Bronovo and Westeinde, we now have one large specialist team. We have joined forces, which means we can do even more for mothers and prospective mothers in The Hague and surrounding areas. The new Mother and Child Centre brings all our ambitions together!”

Family Integrated Care The launch of the Mother and Child Centre marks another step towards Family Integrated Care, explains Kim. “This means that care is not just focused on the child and the parents, but also actively involves them. We want to ensure that the family stays together as much as possible and the parents remain in control wherever possible. This also helps smooth the transition to home. Previously, as professionals, we issued advice based on our areas of expertise. Now we involve the patient and family in the process from the outset. ‘Who do you want to have present at the birth?’ ‘What are your wishes in terms of your pregnancy and giving birth at our hospital?’ And in the case of older children: ‘What does the child need?’ We provide www.haaglandenmc.nl

The Ambassador ofPanama, H.E. Mrs. Elizabeth Ward Neiman

On 18th November as to celebrate the 200th year Anniversary of Panama, the Ambassador of Panama, H.E. Mrs. Elizabeth Ward Neiman organized in the Leonardo Royal Hotel in The Hague, a recital which was a tribute to the well-known Panamanian composer Eduardo Charpentier Herrera. Two of his compositions were performed by students of the Royal Conservatory of The Hague. It was a most beautiful concert.

After the concert, the guests could enjoy the culinary creativity of Chef Roberto Torres, a well-known Panamanian Chef residing in the Netherlands. The menu was a unique culinary experience and very much appreciated by all the guests. excellent mutually beneficial long-standing diplomatic relationship. The countries are obvious partners considering similarities such as each country´s strategic geographic location, the extensive service center, the globally known logistics network that both countries have enviably developed, the international airports and maritime hub that serve as logistics hubs to the respective regions, amongst others. Amongst other related interests, both countries share a committed concern towards climate change and the devastating effects on our planet.

Beginning construction in 1903, the Panama Canal has been called one of humankind’s greatest engineering achievements. The Canal and its locks cover a route of about 80 km between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, providing a shortcut between two oceans, and one of the world’s most popular shipping zones. In 2016, operations began in the expanded set of locks allowing the neopanamax ships to transit through the canal. Every year, approximately 13,000 to 14,000 ships transit the Panama Canal. The Panama Canal is committed to sustainability, and therefore is laying the foundation, creating the tools, and identifying the changes needed to achieve efficiencies that will allow the organization to reach carbon neutrality. This is a fundamental strategy for the waterway’s long-term operation and sustainability. In 2020, it had contributed to a reduction of more than 13m tons of CO2 equivalent emissions. The Panama Canal can be visited at Miraflores Locks to view the passing of the ships. The economy of Panama is based mainly on the services sector, which accounts for nearly 80% of its GDP and accounts for most of its foreign income. Services include the Panama Canal, banking, commerce, the Colón Free Trade Zone, insurance, container ports, and flagship registry, medical and health and tourism.

Some highlights to visit in Panama are: Panama’s capital and largest city, Panama City is the most modern city in Central America, unofficially dubbed ‘the Dubai of Latin America’. High-end resorts, shopping malls, and glitzy skyscrapers line the city. Casco Viejo is the historic quarter with cobblestone streets and colonial buildings. Panama City is known for its excellent views surrounded by the objective information on the options and treatments, enabling our patients to make informed decisions. This includes pain relief during childbirth, or the options for the safest way to give birth.”

One aspect that is strongly supported at the Mother and Child Centre is the option to give birth in a pool. Interest in pool births has risen sharply in recent years. The HMC Sara de Bronovo Mother and Child Centre will offer no fewer than six luxury, adjustable birthing pools. To ensure that every pregnant woman who wants to deliver their baby in a pool can do so.

Home monitoring “We are also further expanding the possibilities for home monitoring”, says Kim. “Pregnant women with a medical indication who would usually be admitted can stay at home longer. They can record the baby’s heartbeat in the womb themselves at home. They speak on the phone every day to the HMC midwives, who monitor and assess the situation remotely in consultation with the doctor. It’s a lot less stressful than being admitted to hospital.”

Panamanian rainforest creeping into the confines of the city.

Bocas del Toro, Guna Yala Islands, Santa Catalina (a remote fishing village with unspoiled authenticity popular surfing and diving spot with fantastic beaches as well as a frequent gateway to the Coiba National Marine Park), The Chiriquí region (including coffee plantations, the Baru Volcano and jungle areas), the Pearl Islands and El Valle de Antón are all unique areas in Panamá. Whether the beaches or the abundant flora and fauna, all are marveled by Panamanians and visitors alike.

Written by Nanda Jagusiak-Monteiro

What the HMC Sara de Bronovo Mother and Child Centre has to o er

The new HMC Sara de Bronovo Mother and Child Centre opened its doors on 28 November. Our modern building at the front of HMC Westeinde provides services to pregnant women, those seeking to become pregnant, parents or carers and children up to the age of 18. Here in the heart of The Hague, our care providers deliver the best possible care tailored to each person’s individual situation.

Mother and child Worry-free pregnancies, happy babies and healthy children. That is what we are committed to at the HMC Sara de Bronovo Mother and Child Centre. But we are also here to provide support and excellent care to those struggling to conceive. Or when pregnancies do not go smoothly, or a child needs treatment.

Suites and facilities Our private suites at the Mother and Child Centre are adapted to each person’s circumstances and needs. Luxury suites are designed with a homely atmosphere, with plenty of daylight. Parent and child can remain together day and night. The suites also o er su icient space and facilities for all medical care, so there is no need to leave the room to shower or to feed or wash the baby. Central areas o er 24/7 facilities to get something to eat or heat up food. And those staying at the Mother and Child Centre can choose when we come to clean the room.

Family Integrated Care The launch of the Mother and Child Centre marks another step towards Family Integrated Care. This means that care is not just focused on the child and the parents, but also actively involves them. This way, the family stays together as much as possible and the parents remain in control wherever possible. This also helps smooth the transition to home. ‘Who do you want to have present at the birth?’ ‘What are your wishes in terms of your pregnancy and giving birth at our hospital?’ And in the case of older children: ‘What does the child need?’ We provide objective information on the options and treatments, enabling our patients to make informed decisions. This includes pain relief during childbirth, or the options for the safest way to give birth.

Care At the Mother and Child Centre we o er: + Delivery rooms + Obstetrics triage room + Family suites + Children’s ward + Children’s day care treatment

Patients are admitted to these departments, including in the case of emergencies. For a scheduled check-up, such as a pregnancy check-up or a consultation with a paediatrician, pregnant women and patients can contact the gynaecology outpatient clinic (at the HMC Westeinde and HMC Bronovo locations) and the paediatrics outpatient clinic (HMC Westeinde, Bronovo or Wassenaar peripheral outpatient clinic).

Specialists A specialist team is available at the Mother and Child Centre 24 hours a day.

Giving birth Giving birth at the Mother and Child Centre means: + Several luxury birthing pools available + A wide range of pain relief options, with epidurals available 24/7 + The right medical care providers available 24/7 + Homely private suites fully equipped for parent(s) and baby + A partner is always able to stay to eat and sleep

Child Advisory Board At the Mother and Child Centre we feel it is important to learn from the experiences of children in our department. We have a Child Advisory Board (kinderadviesraad) to help us view the care and processes in the department from the child’s perspective. The Child Advisory Board is made up of six children of di erent ages who are happy to advise us. The Child Advisory Board has provided us with input on issues such as the wall art in our new Mother and Child Centre and the toys and entertainment that are essential to a stay in the children’s ward. Parking Patients and visitors can park in the car park at the back of HMC Westeinde. If labour is progressing very rapidly or in an emergency, you can park your car temporarily in an emergency parking space. To do so, do not go through the left barrier to the visitor car park, but instead the far right barrier to the disabled parking area.

Confidence When the patient and/or family is ready to be discharged from the Mother and Child Centre, we will arrange a taxi if necessary and walk them to the exit. Everyone returning home from the HMC Sara de Bronovo Mother and Child Centre can do so with full confidence!

More information? www.haaglandenmc.nl/giving-birth

Information for expats

Information meetings for expats

Would you like to know more about information meetings for expats? Contact Nanda Jagusiak-Monteiro, Expat Coordinator E n.jagusiakmonteiro@haaglandenmc.nl

Patients Administration

Foreign Business Financial issues can be discussed with the employees of the Centrale Kas. E Foreign-business@haaglandenmc.nl Telephone hours of business: Tuesday and Thursday 10.00 - 12.00 am T +31 (0)88 979 29 00 T +31 (0)88 97 97 900

Nanda Jagusiak-Monteiro

www.haaglandenmc.nl info@haaglandenmc.nl