With 50% completion, new hospital in Santarém focuses on maternal and child health

“The arrival of the new Maternal and Child Hospital fills me with hope,” said Santarém resident Tcheyse Miranda, mother of João Gabriel. She summarized the expectations of the population awaiting the delivery of the Maternal and Child Hospital of Santarém, a project resumed by the state government, which has already reached 50% completion.

The new unit will specifically serve mothers and children from the entire Lower Amazon region, offering specialized services in maternal and child health. The first phase of the project, in partnership with the city of Santarém, ensured the progress of the initial works. Now, the work enters a new phase under the coordination of the State Department of Public Works (Seop), which is overseeing the execution.

Currently, the work is focused on electrical and hydraulic installations, internal painting, system testing, coatings, and the installation of frames. The construction of the hospital also contributes to the local economy by securing around 150 direct jobs for workers in the region.

A hospital built with care in mind
"I imagine how many women will experience this moment (of childbirth) with more dignity, with more safety, in a space designed especially for them and their babies. It will be a place where life will begin surrounded by much respect, dignity, and love," added Tcheyse Miranda, the Santarém resident mentioned at the beginning of this text.

The hospital will have approximately 120 beds, distributed among inpatient care, adult Intensive Care Unit (ICU), pediatric ICU, neonatal ICU, neonatal Intermediate Care Unit (ICU), Kangaroo ICU – a humanized model aimed at low birth weight newborns – and PPP (Pre-delivery, Delivery, and Post-delivery).

The structure will also include four surgical rooms, as well as technical-logistical support areas, a waste central, and an electrical substation. On the ground floor, the specialized pediatric and obstetric units, offices, outpatient clinic, imaging exams, nutrition, laundry, Central Material and Sterilization (CME), and the Waste Central will be located.

On the first floor, the Human Milk Bank, neonatal ICU, neonatal ICU, kangaroo mother ward, adult ICU, pediatric ICU, and laboratory will operate. The second floor will house the Normal Delivery Center, Surgical Center, and Obstetric Center. The third and fourth floors will be dedicated to the pediatric clinic, with inpatient beds.

In total, there will be 8,046.96 m² of built area, distributed over five floors, designed to offer quality, comfort, and safety to patients and health professionals.

Regionalization of health
The head of the State Department of Public Health (Sespa), Ivete Vaz, emphasizes the relevance of the unit. “The works of the Maternal and Child Hospital of Santarém represent an important advance for the health of the Lower Amazon. We are working to ensure a modern, spacious structure prepared to provide quality care to mothers and children in the region.”

In addition to expanding specialized care, the hospital will reduce travel to other cities and ensure complete and humanized follow-up, from prenatal care to intensive care.

For the Secretary of Public Works, Ruy Cabral, the delivery of the Maternal and Child Hospital represents an important milestone for the Lower Amazon region. “The Maternal and Child Hospital project is a long-standing desire of the people of Santarém and will be a reference public facility in the Lower Amazon. The Government of Pará has been heavily investing in expanding the health network in all regions and is now committed to delivering another fundamental project that will directly impact the lives of mothers and their children.”

The expectation is also shared by Danila Rodrigues, a resident of Santarém and mother of two children. For her, the Maternal and Child Hospital represents an important advance in the humanization of care for pregnant women and newborns in the region.

“The hospital will play a fundamental role in ensuring the health and well-being of pregnant women and newborns. I believe it will help reduce infant mortality and provide more comfort for mothers and their babies,” she states.

She emphasizes the importance of more humane care, with a support network and a safe space. “I hope that there we will have humanized births, something that is still very rare around here. This hospital represents more than just a building: it represents hope for many women in our city,” she adds.