One day after Guyana recorded another maternal death, the services of the Maternal and Child Health Department received a boost with the donation of obstetric equipment from the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO).
Health Minister Dr. George Norton made the disclosure about the latest maternal death as he accepted the equipment on behalf of the Department.
He refused to release information on the most recent death but promised that when the investigative process is completed, the information will be made public.
He would only say that the woman died at the Georgetown Public Hospital after being transferred from the West Demerara Regional Hospital and an immediate investigation has been launched.
The Minister thanked PAHO/WHO for the donation which he said will help in the reduction of maternal and neonatal deaths.
He said efforts to reduce maternal mortality rate is a major focus of his Ministry.
“When there is a maternal death it affects all of us and I had the same feeling when we had a maternal death yesterday,” the Minister added.
Dr. Norton said the donation will directly lend to improving maternal health.
Meanwhile, PAHO/WHO Country Representative for Guyana Dr. William Adu-Krow said the donation is part of the PAHO/WHO approach to support local health care delivery.
Among the items donated were tape measures to monitor the growth of unborn child, neonatal resuscitation machines for children born not breathing, child birth simulators that can be used by mid wives and doctors to practice deliveries in keeping with medical standards.
“Maternal mortality issues have always been issues that the Ministry and PAHO have always looked to encourage training and retraining,” he said
Additionally, two ATVs were donated to Region One and another to Region Eight.
Dr. Norton said the Ministry is also looking to close the gap in the delivery of health care on the coast-land and the hinterland.
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