Improved healthcare interventions reducing maternal deaths – Dr Anthony

Guyana has recorded a significant decline in maternal deaths over the past decade, with targeted healthcare interventions and specialised training helping to improve maternal care nationwide.

Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony made the disclosure during an appearance on the “Starting Point” Podcast on Sunday, where he outlined several measures implemented by the health sector to improve maternal healthcare outcomes.

According to Dr Anthony, one of the major contributors to maternal deaths in the past was postpartum haemorrhage, or excessive bleeding after childbirth. However, he noted that extensive training provided to healthcare workers across the public health system has significantly improved the management of such cases.

“In the last three to four years, we have not had any case of postpartum haemorrhage,” Dr Anthony stated, attributing the progress largely to the specialised training and adherence to medical protocols within the healthcare system.

The minister explained that healthcare workers have been trained to respond more effectively to complications during and after delivery, helping to reduce preventable maternal deaths.

Another major intervention highlighted is the establishment of waiting homes at hospitals, particularly in the hinterland and remote communities.

The facilities allow pregnant women who live far from medical institutions to stay close to hospitals ahead of delivery.

“When they go into labour, they move from that home into the delivery ward, and so they can have a safe delivery,” the minister explained.

According to Dr Anthony, before the introduction of waiting homes, many women were forced to travel long distances while in labour, often resulting in unsafe deliveries and complications before reaching medical facilities.

To address this, the government has already established approximately six waiting homes countrywide, with plans underway to expand the initiative.

“We want every interior hospital to have a waiting home next to it because we think that is going to make a big difference,” he said.

Dr Anthony noted that the impact of the initiative is already evident in several regions. Highlighting Region One as an example, he revealed that the region recorded zero maternal deaths last year.