Strategic interventions in healthcare help reduce maternal deaths over past 5 years- Health Minister

Apr 08, 2025 News

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Kaieteur News-  Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony has said that concerted efforts and strategic interventions across the public healthcare sector, have resulted in the reduction of maternal deaths in the country over the past five years.

The health minister made this revelation in his message on World Health Day. World Health Day was observed on Monday. In a message to mark the occasion the minister stated that they have taken significant steps over the past four years to enhance women and children’s long-term health and well-being. He said “over the past five years, the country has made significant strides in reducing maternal deaths due to postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), with a notable decrease from 23 cases in 2019 to 14 cases in 2024. This reduction results from concerted efforts and strategic interventions across the public healthcare sector.”

Among the interventions made, is the implementation of the Zero Deaths by Haemorrhage training programme for healthcare workers which was done in partnership with the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO).

Additionally, he said that the ministry enhanced healthcare infrastructure by equipping all hospitals with Pneumatic Anti-Shock Garments and establishing blood banks at regional hospitals, ensuring a steady and reliable blood supply. “Emergency care capacity has been further strengthened by creating dedicated operating theatres nationwide designed to address complications swiftly. Furthermore, we have deployed obstetricians to nine of the ten administrative regions, ensuring expert care is available across all urban and rural areas,” he disclosed.

It should be noted that currently a €149 million Maternal and Paediatric Hospital is under construction at Goedverwaghting, East Coast Demerara, which when open next year will focus on maternal and child health, offering specialised services such as prenatal and postnatal care, safe childbirth, and paediatric services.

Dr. Anthony said that over the last few years, the ministry has invested in decentralising neonatal care and now has nine fully equipped Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) in the country. These modern facilities which have vital life-saving equipment such as ventilators, incubators, pulse oximeters, and heart monitors, guarantee that infants facing critical health issues, like low birth weight or prematurity, receive the specialised care they need.

Additionally, in the hinterland regions, the Health Ministry has been constructing Maternal Waiting Homes with the inclusion of telemedicine sites. “These facilities, strategically located within hospital compounds, provide a safe and supportive environment for pregnant women at risk of complications. It ensures that they have timely access to care and the ability to receive critical interventions if complications arise during labour,” the minister noted in his message.

Having implemented these key initiatives among others, Dr. Anthony related that these improved healthcare services have collectively contributed to the reduction in maternal mortality from postpartum haemorrhage. He said too that the government is committed to strengthening the health systems, improving training for healthcare providers, and expanding access to essential services.

Meanwhile, in a message of her own, Shadow Health Minister, Dr. Karen Cummings said considering the various obstacles to safe motherhood, there should be more awareness in schools about Sexual and Reproductive Health. She said the appropriate information, education, and communication materials should be placed at the Nursery, Primary, and Secondary levels in our schools to target vulnerable groups – as babies are born to children under 15 years of age. “Robust campaigns should be carried out and occasional incentives be given to mothers who seek early prenatal care,” Cummings detailed.

She said with the current reality being a constant and steady migration of nurses and other health care professionals, valiant efforts must be made not only to build capacity and competent health care personnel, but also to retain competent staff with correct attitudes. In addition, there must be continual monitoring and evaluation of health personnel who do not comply with protocols and guidelines to ensure that the errant is held accountable, Dr. Cummings said.

“As Guyana boasts a decentralised healthcare system, it is necessary and an imperative for the Regional Hospitals and healthcare workers be guided by the Package of Publicly Guaranteed health services. Routine tests for Antenatal Care Services should be carried out at upgraded labs. In addition, there should be better coordination and communication between the Regional Hospitals and the Only Referral Hospital – the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation especially when it comes to High-Risk Pregnancies,” Dr. Cummings said.

“On this World Health Day 2025, it is the wish that the immunization successes of the Maternal and Child Health Department be continued and sustained. Urgent priority must be given to ensure that the inequities and inequalities in health are narrowed, and the lives of our mothers and infants are not only saved but are allowed to thrive and be transformed in the future.”

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• Dr. Frank Anthony, maternal deaths, Ministry of Health, over past five years, reduction

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