El Salvador has taken another step in reshaping its public healthcare system as First Lady Gabriela de Bukele officially laid the foundation stone for “El Nido,” a new maternity center designed to elevate maternal and newborn care. The project is part of the broader “Nacer con Cariño” initiative, a national effort aimed at transforming the birth experience into one that prioritizes dignity, safety, and family involvement.
Speaking at the ceremony, the First Lady described the project as a milestone in the country’s healthcare evolution. “Today, we proudly begin the next level of this transformation: the ‘Nacer con Cariño’ Maternity Center, El Nido,” she said. The facility is expected to set a new benchmark not only for El Salvador but also for Latin America, positioning the country as a regional reference in maternal and perinatal care.
El Nido is designed as a comprehensive care center, combining medical excellence with a human-centered approach. The complex will include two towers: one dedicated to prenatal care, education, and professional training, and another focused on childbirth services, featuring private rooms, specialized medical units, and neonatal intensive care areas that allow family access. This model seeks to ensure that mothers, babies, and their families remain at the center of every stage of care.
Beyond infrastructure, the initiative also aims to strengthen the healthcare workforce. Authorities announced that the project will generate approximately 2,000 jobs, with an international recruitment effort to attract top medical talent. “We are creating opportunities to innovate and strengthen our model, combining scientific evidence with the warmth families deserve,” Gabriela de Bukele stated, emphasizing the importance of standardized, high-quality care across the system.
The launch of El Nido builds on the progress of smaller “Mini Nido” units already operating across the country, which have introduced more compassionate birth environments. For Salvadoran officials, the long-term vision goes beyond facilities. “To change El Salvador, we must change the way we are born,” the First Lady said, underscoring a philosophy that places early-life care at the heart of national development.