Region 3 seeks to improve Maternal and Child Health Services

─ pilot project launched

─ to commence February 1, 2019

─ all health facilities in Region 3 to benefit  

DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, January 16, 2019

The Ministry of Public Health has collaborated with a team of professional researchers from the University Research Company (URC) to commence a pilot project. The pilot project will provide extensive training to Health Workers with an aim of improving Maternal and Child Health Care in Guyana.

Essequibo Islands/West Demerara (Region 3) is one of three regions that will benefit from the first phase of this project. The other two regions are Regions 4 and 9. The aim of the project is to improve the clinical skills of health care workers so that maternal deaths and child deaths can be significantly reduced. It is the aim of the Ministry of Public Health through this project to also improve antenatal and postnatal care at the various health facilities in the country.

The project will commence on February 1, in the Essequibo Islands/West Demerara Region. Health workers from Wakenaam Hospital, Leguan Hospital, Karia Karia Health Post, Leonora Cottage Hospital, West Demerara Regional Hospital, Santa Aratack Health Post and several other health centres across the region will participate. The project is expected to run for two years uninterrupted.

Leading the team of researchers is Project Leader, Dr. Carlos Mancilla who visited Region 3 today and had a meeting with the Regional Executive Officer (REO), Jennifer Ferreira-Dougall and Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr. Ravendra Dudhnath. Accompanying Dr. Mancilla were Project Coordinator representing Guyana, Boodhan Nipan and Project Coordinator representing the URC, Leiann Vanlange who are also members of the team.

Dr. Carlos Mancilla noted that the project will bring improvement to the health care facilities mainly because the health workers will be better equipped with knowledge on how to prevent maternal and infant deaths.

“We see this project as a very positive one for your region in the sense that it will better equip your health workers on how to deal with complications of maternal and child care. It is our intention to reduce maternal and child deaths in the country. From my research, this region has a very low maternal and child death rate but nonetheless one is too much,” said Dr. Mancilla.

Speaking on behalf of the region was RHO, Dr. Ravendra Dudhnath, who welcomed the initiative and pledged his unwavering support to the project.

He said, “We all dream for better health services in this country and I have noticed slowly and surely we are receiving the assistance that is necessary. This project will no doubt improve the service of maternal and child health care in Region 3 and I pledge my support wholeheartedly in ensuring it is successful.”

Expressing her appreciation to the team for their visit, REO Dougall noted that it has always been the vision and mission of government to improve not only the health service but all other services that are provided to our people. She also offered her full support to the project.

Story and Image: Ganesh Mahipaul.