The High Complexity Obstetric Unit of the Fundación Valle del Lili It focuses on handling complex and urgent cases.
The unit is fully equipped with medical and support staff, and has a highly skilled professional team on call 24 hours a day specializing in intensive care and maternal-fetal medicine. | Photo: Fundación Valle del Lili
Pregnancy is a stage of life that involves many physical and emotional changes for a woman. While most pregnancies proceed without complications, some women may encounter risky situations that require urgent medical attention.
The risks of suffering a hemorrhage, a case of preeclampsia, or an infection are high, and what is most worrying is that these conditions can affect any patient, even if they have no prior medical conditions.
Statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO) say that on average every four minutes a pregnant woman dies from complications.
These figures are alarming and reflect the social and economic inequalities that affect women. In the case of Colombia, many of them live in rural or remote areas where there are insufficient resources and a lack of trained healthcare personnel. But In Cali, the aim is to offer an alternative through the High Complexity Obstetric Unit of the Fundación Valle del LiliUACO, which has evolved significantly since its creation, reflecting not only growth in infrastructure but also in its human and service capacity.
The UACO has 20 nursing professionals and almost 50 nursing assistants; it also offers physiotherapy, social work, and psychology services. | Photo: Fundación Valle del Lili
“The High Complexity Obstetric Unit arose as a necessity for the department and the city in general ,” says Dr. Adriana Messa, academic leader of UACO. Starting in 2009 with only 10 beds, the unit has experienced remarkable growth since then. “Currently, we are managing a total of 28 beds in the intermediate care unit and have 11 beds in the delivery room,” explains the gynecologist.
The growth in infrastructure has gone hand in hand with an expansion in medical equipment.
“There are 5 intensive care gynecologists in the unit,” says Dr. Messa, highlighting the importance of the human team that includes outstanding professionals such as Dr. María Paula Echavarría, Dr. Álvaro José Nieto, Dr. Juan Manuel Burgos and Dr. Javier Carvajal.
Beyond the facilities and equipment, what defines the High Complexity Obstetric Unit is its commitment to emergency care. This level of dedication extends through telehealth and consulting services to hospitals in regions such as Cauca, Buenaventura, Chocó, and Putumayo, among others, through the strategy Hospital Padrino“We have had a very broad impact,” the doctor states.
It was precisely thanks to this strategy that Stefanya Atehortúa Grisales was able to receive care when a hemorrhage after giving birth put her at risk. She was in Carthage, where 15 minutes after the delivery they realized that the bleeding was impossible to control, although from the Fundación Valle del Lili There was remote monitoring to stop the bleeding; in the end, the decision was to transfer her to the UACO in Cali.
“I not only felt well cared for by very professional doctors, but they were also very humane. They always came by to ask how I was doing and kept me informed about the condition of my baby, who stayed in Cartago. I realized that everyone was looking out for me and my son,” says Stefanya, who was also kept under observation at home after being discharged.
La Fundación Valle del Lili It has private rooms for humanized childbirth care, in the company of family members. | Photo: Fundación Valle del Lili
The High Complexity Obstetric Unit of the Fundación Valle del Lili It is designed to address highly complex cases through its multidisciplinary approach and the constant availability of experts.
Among the many pathologies handled in the unit, it is worth highlighting those related to placental disorders, treated through the Placenta Accreta Clinic, led by Dr. Álvaro Nieto and made up of a multidisciplinary team that includes: anesthesiology, urology, trauma surgery, vascular intervention and radiology.
It evaluates patients with placental insertion abnormalities, characterized by a condition in which the placenta invades the scar of the previous cesarean section at the level of the uterus, behaving almost like a tumor, even compromising organs such as the bladder and intestine, associated with the development of abnormal vascular structures, which is related to a greater risk of hemorrhage during the cesarean section.
The Placenta Accreta Clinic has a specific protocol for the care of these cases, as this pathology presents a significant challenge.
Thus, the UACO of the Fundación Valle del LiliWith its multidisciplinary approach and capacity to manage highly complex cases, this unit is a leader in advanced obstetric care. The combination of a specialized team, innovative techniques, and internationally recognized leadership reflects its commitment to excellence and the safety of both mothers and their babies. The unit is not only a model of advanced obstetric care but also a symbol of hope and life for those facing challenging obstetric situations.
Hospital Padrinosocial contribution from health
The strategy focuses on improving health services and indicators in these vulnerable populations and relieving pressure on rural doctors. It also incorporates a telemedicine service, providing ongoing advice and support. In addition to presence and advice, the Fundación Valle del Lili She has conducted theoretical and practical workshops, including simulations of postpartum hemorrhage cases and the management of preeclampsia. These initiatives have been crucial in reducing mortality in pregnant women and newborns.
Source: El País Cali
