Pregnant women must exercise caution to avoid COVID-19
-special measures implemented at hospitals
The Ministry of Health is advising pregnant women to exercise extreme caution and to keep away from crowds to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19.
Maternal and Child Health Officer Dr. Oneka Scott Dr. Scott made the appeal today during a virtual World Patient Safety Day seminar.
Eleven pregnant women are among the 1,958 COVID-19 cases registered in Guyana. Dr. Scott stated that contracting COVID-19 could result in premature deliveries. To date, Guyana has not recorded any early deliveries among those affected, and Dr. Scott attributed this to many pregnant patients being asymptomatic.
Maternal and Child Health Officer, Dr. Oneka Scott
However, a maternity patient with underlying health conditions and COVID-19 did die in August while another infected maternity patient is currently in the Georgetown Public Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.
Guyana has been proactive in finding alternative measures to care for pregnant women through protocols outlined by the Maternal and Child Health Department. They are expected to reduce risks and prevent transmission of the virus while ensuring a safe delivery for mother and child.
After birth, parents are also informed of special procedures that set out breastfeeding measures and infant care, especially since infants have also been diagnosed with the disease.
In addition to various channels for patient education, select areas have been identified for pregnant women at hospitals. A special wing in the bottom flat of the Infectious Diseases Hospital has also been set up with 40 beds for obstetrics.