It’s been more than six months since Alta Vista Regional Hospital in Las Vegas announced the temporary closure of its obstetrics unit. Pregnant women in northeastern New Mexico have had to drive to places like Albuquerque, Santa Fe, or Taos for routine check-ups and delivery.
Nick Leger is a commissioner for San Miguel County. He says the community’s concerns have not faded. They’re still waiting on the regional hospital to hire ob-gyn’s.
“I mean, we have a population that doesn’t have the resources but needs the medical care,” Leger said. “The hospital has made a commitment to provide these sorts of services and they better provide ‘em.”
Leger says hospital officials have not been forthcoming, but Alta Vista’s CEO told the Taos News they’ve had a hard time hiring and keeping ob-gyn staff.
The state attorney general is looking into it – he’s asked the hospital to explain what the problem is and what the hospital is doing to re-open the obstetrics unit.