Ana
Ana is the youngest of four children of Jorge and Percy, residents of the town of Ichili in eastern Bolivia. Jorge drives a taxi, earning around $220 dollars a month, most of which is spent on food for the family of six. Ana has been closely monitored by a cardiologist since her diagnosis at four months of age with PDA, or patent ductus arteriosus. Doctors hoped medical treatment would be sufficient to manage the condition until it resolved on its own. In the meantime, Percy brought Ana to regular physical therapy sessions at the public Hospital Japonés in Santa Cruz to help ensure her development stayed on track. As she told the social worker: “All I want is to see my little daughter healthy.”
When the heart condition persisted after Ana’s first birthday, it became clear she would need surgery. Ana’s doctor told the family about a surgical campaign organized at the private Clínica Las Américas in Santa Cruz in late February to provide ductus surgeries supported through the Solidarity Bridge/ Puente de Solidaridad heart program. Ana was approved for the surgery, which was performed on February 25 and required only a one-night stay in the hospital. Ana has since gained weight and is meeting appropriate development milestones.