In a bid to further reduce maternal deaths in hinterland regions, the Ministry of Health is seeking to build new maternal waiting homes in Regions Seven (Cuyuni- Mazaruni) and Eight (Potaro- Siparuni).
This is according to Guyana’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Narine Singh, who spoke with the News Room at the sidelines of a recent event.
He explained that maternal waiting homes are small centres, near hospitals, where a woman who is pregnant and close to her due date can stay until she is ready to deliver.
These homes, he said, are particularly useful in hinterland regions where communities may be far away from hospitals, presenting challenges for women who need immediate medical attention.
“We have several of them scattered around the country, mainly in the hinterland regions, because that is where our biggest challenge because of the location,” Dr. Singh said.
So far, there are two maternal waiting homes in Region Nine (Upper Takutu- Upper Essequibo), two in Region One (Barima- Waini), one in Region Two (Pomeroon- Supenaam), two in Region Four (Demerara- Mahaica) and one in Region 10 (Upper Demerara- Berbice).
And new homes will be constructed in Regions Seven and Eight, where the population is spread far apart.
Aside from these facilities, Dr. Singh said the ministry hopes to send out more qualified doctors to all regions. The goal is to have someone trained in obstetrics and gynaecology in every region.
And with more doctors and other qualified health workers in each region, Dr. Singh said that more women would be encouraged to seek regular antenatal care throughout their pregnancy.
I am excited to hear that these locations will be having qualified ,competent and committed health care professionals as well as the necessary working equipment and facilities to enhance health care delivery.
I also hoping these staff will be sufficiently compensated for serving in these locations.