Guyana making strides to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths

Jul 07, 2016 News

Positive strides are being made by the Ministry of Public Health to reduce the maternal and neonatal mortality. This observation was made by Country Representation of the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO), Dr. William Adu-Krow who said he was satisfied with the progress being made by the Ministry.

He was at the time speaking at the start of an ongoing three-day review meeting which is geared to focus on a number of pertinent issues within the local public health setting with emphasis on Strengthening Health Systems and Services across Guyana, exploring opportunities for Family Planning, Improving surveillance for Yellow Fever, using data for Decision Making and ZIKA Management in Pregnancy.

The quarterly review meeting is one that highlights the work done by the Maternal and Child Health/Expanded Programme of Immunization (MCH/EPI). It represents part of the Ministry’s continued effort to enhance the quality of health services it provides to the people living in Guyana.

But although Guyana has been making a laudable effort, Dr. Adu-Krow observed that much work is yet to be done in Guyana, if the Ministry is determined to realize universal equitable access to the best quality health care.

The PAHO/WHO representative nevertheless commended the Ministry for its assiduous work at expanding its vaccination coverage across the country, while carefully noting that more efforts need to be made in this regard.

Addressing the gathering at the meeting too was Minister of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings. She highlighted that there must be more equity and equality with regard to the improvement of access to best quality health care, within the public health sector.

“With all the strategic investments being made in the public health sector by the Government of Guyana, Guyanese are poised to achieve a grand convergence in health – an environment where women and children all have the same access to health care, and an equal opportunity to survive and thrive, regardless of where they give birth or are born,” the Minister said.

The Minister further pointed out that “healthy birth outcomes and early identification and treatment of health conditions among infants can prevent death or disability and enable children to reach their full potential. As health professionals in the Guyana Public Health system, this goal must be our priority,” the Minister said.

In alluding to the expanding programme on immunization, Minister Cummings outlined that Guyana has been consistently improving its vaccination coverage through the years. She, however, cautioned, that “until we can ensure that every child, every person is receiving his or her required vaccines, there remains much more work to be done.”

The Minister said, “In the 1980s, the percentage coverage for BCG used to be at 68 per cent. I am pleased to point out that in 2015, that statistic increased to 98 per cent. In 1995 polio coverage was at 87 per cent. In 2015 it is almost eradicated.

“For measles coverage, we have increased from 67 per cent in the 1995 to 100 per cent in 2015. Like all the others, DTP 3 coverage increased from 86 per cent in 1995 to 98 per cent in 2015. The treatment of other infectious diseases likewise mirrors this positive increase in coverage,” said Minister Cummings.

According to her, too, “It is very reassuring to note that Guyana is leading its regional partners in vaccination coverage, despite the many challenges faced regarding cost, transportation, and staffing.”

The MCH/EPI Review Meeting is being held at the Grand Costal Conference Room will continue until Saturday. It is being chaired by the Director of MCH/EPI Department (Ag), Dr. Ertenisa Hamilton.

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