Ministry heads to Berbice with Maternal Deaths campaign
DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, October 16, 2018
The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) has taken its countrywide training programme to Berbice, as efforts continue to eliminate Maternal Death, by Haemorrhage.
Zero Maternal Deaths by Haemorrhage is an initiative of the Pan America Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) along with its Latin Center for Perinatology, Women’s and Reproductive Health (CLAP/WR) to prevent maternal deaths by postpartum haemorrhage.
According to research conducted by the Ministry of Public Health and PAHO, haemorrhage is a leading cause of maternal deaths in Guyana. As a result of this public health concern, several training sessions have been executed in Regions One, Three and Four.
The three-day session which targeted midwives, doctors, gynaecologists and community health workers began on Monday in the Regional Health Services boardroom, East Berbice-Corentyne.
Director of Regional Health Services, Region Six, Jevaughn Andrew Stephen said there are approximately ten reported cases of maternal deaths thus far for the year with one in Region Six. .
PAHO’s representative, Ulex Fung noted the organisation’s satisfaction with the collaboration between MOPH and PAHO to implement the training sessions.
Fung noted that the initiative also works towards empowering women, so their rights and preferences are respected, and they are encouraged to seek timely qualified medical care. She emphasised that training for health care professionals serves to reduce the number of cases and ensure timely and effective treatment for cases that do occur.
The PAHO representative further highlighted that the participants will be introduced to an electronic system known as “Prenatal information system Plus” used to store data belonging to patients.
The Public Health Ministry will be taking the programme to Regions Two and Seven soon.
Story and Images: Tanuja Raikha.