Latest update April 13th, 2025 6:34 AM
Latest News
- Hess’ lifting cost per barrel in Guyana only $US7
- ExxonMobil billed Guyana US$120 million for exploration in 2024- Annual Report reveals
- Over 1,560 killed since Israel broke Gaza truce
- RSS team begins investigation into shooting death of Linden men
- Security guard shoots two brothers who stabbed him during row at supermarket
Health Ministry still struggling to raise awareness about “Abortion” Act
There are currently just below 20 local doctors across the public and private health sectors, which are licensed to perform medical termination of pregnancy (abortion). At least this was the speculative disclosure of Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, in an invited comment to this publication.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud
Dr. Persaud, who has been desperately trying to raise awareness within the health arena about the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, is at a loss that some doctors, to date, seem unaware of its existence. “All the (health) reporters of this country probably know about the Act, so I don’t understand how some doctors don’t know about it,” opined Dr Persaud.
The Act is one that came into being in 1995 under the tenure of then Minister of Health, Ms. Gail Teixeira. Although it was the subject of some criticism, there were many who were pleased to see it brought into being.
Dr. Persaud’s remarks on the Act were forthcoming even as he commented on the recent death of a young woman at a privately operated medical clinic in Port Mourant, Berbice. The death was linked to a botched abortion.
Twenty-two-year-old Kamili Arjune, a mother of four who resided in Suriname, died following the procedure that was conducted last Good Friday at the Dr. Rahaman Medical Clinic.
Dr. Persaud has confirmed that the doctor who performed the procedure was not licensed to do so, neither was his clinic certified.
“I am so amazed,” said the CMO of the incident, even as he pointed out that such a case should not have occurred. “Even though we are doing so much publicity this has happened! The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act is a public document and there is no doctor who is registered in Guyana whether Guyanese or otherwise, who can say that they don’t know about these provisions,” said an assertive Dr. Persaud.
“I have gone to the length,” said Dr. Persaud as he turned his attention to the importance of doctors reporting on such incidents. Among the several breaches of the case in question, which is currently under investigation, is that the death was not reported to the office of the CMO in a timely manner. In fact, Dr. Persaud had confided that he first learnt of the incident after it was reported in this publication.
According to the CMO, the doctor had not reported the woman’s death within the stipulated 24 hours. He told this publication too, that it is required by law that once a pregnancy related death occurs it should be reported to his office. “Any woman who dies during any stage of pregnancy or up to 42 days after delivery, must be reported to the relevant authority (the CMO’s office),” said Dr. Persaud as he related, that it is expected that such deaths within Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and 10 must be reported within 24 hours. While those that occur in the hinterland regions, must be reported within 72 hours.
As part of the Ministry of Health’s effort to ensure that the medical termination of pregnancy Act is adhered to, Dr. Persaud said that doctors from both the private and public sectors must undergo strategic training. “We have been working with a partner to provide the training and some of the women advocate groups have been helping us too,” related the CMO. The Ministry, this publication understands has been getting support in this regard from the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA). “This is a critical service that we need to provide to women who are unable to do it privately because of the cost…the public health sector is picking up the mandate and we have started to put that Act into action,” asserted Dr. Persaud.
The doctor involved in the recent abortion related death, has since been sent off from active duty in the public health sector. He may be able to still practice privately, pending a decision by the Medical Council which is currently investigating the case.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
The mirage of citizen investment
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- The latest song and dance from the corridors of political power in Guyana comes wrapped... more
Collaborative Government–Private Sector Action Imperative for a Resilient Trade Future
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- On April 9, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 90-day suspension of the higher... more
Weekend Cartoon
