What critical supplies were missing for the emergency birth?

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Critical Supplies Were Missing for the Emergency Birth

During an emergency birth that occurred amidst the aftermath of twin earthquakes in Venezuela, a range of essential medical supplies were notably absent. The situation necessitated improvisation due to the lack of basic necessities, highlighting the dire conditions faced by those affected by the natural disaster. This emergency birth took place on the early morning of June 25, following powerful quakes that struck the country's Caribbean coast.
Absence of Running Water and Surgical Gloves

The birth took place without access to running water, a fundamental requirement for hygiene during medical procedures. Furthermore, the paramedic assisting in the delivery did not have surgical gloves. This lack of basic protective equipment presented a significant risk in a post-disaster environment where sanitation is compromised. The young mother, Eliana Garcia, was 38 weeks pregnant when the earthquakes struck, and her labour began unexpectedly on a baseball field where she had sought refuge.
Lack of Umbilical Cord Cutting Equipment

A critical shortage was the absence of any medical equipment for cutting the umbilical cord. In the absence of standard medical tools, the family and the assisting paramedic resorted to using hair ties to tie the cord at both ends, applying alcohol for disinfection. Ultimately, a pair of nail scissors was used to sever the cord. This improvisation underscores the severe limitations faced in providing even basic neonatal care in the immediate aftermath of the quakes.
Mobile Phones Provided Illumination

With electricity also unavailable, the only source of light during the delivery came from mobile phones that still retained battery power. These devices illuminated the scene as the paramedic, identified as Julia Di Giuseppe, attended to Garcia. The birth of the baby boy, named Gael Jesus, occurred while aftershocks continued to rattle the already devastated landscape, with strangers offering support amidst their own grief.

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What critical supplies were missing for the emergency birth?

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