The new year did not start well for two mothers. The nation learnt of the death of a 25-year-old pregnant woman on 1st January. This was followed by another death of a 31-year-old pregnant woman six days later. Every year, pregnant women die of complications − in childbirth or postpartum − the majority of which are preventable.
Former President David Granger, speaking on his weekly programme – The Public Interest – lamented the ghastly record of maternal deaths in Guyana – increasing from 13 deaths in 2020; to 15 in 2021; to 17 in 2022. He acknowledged that deaths could be caused by various causes such as ‘high-risk’ pregnancies of pre-adult girls; ‘high-frequency’ or multiple pregnancies; undernourished mothers and non-attendance at ante-natal clinics. These factors suggest that women in low-resource, low-income and low education settings may be at greater risk during pregnancy and childbirth. Health can be impaired, also, by inequities in access to health services; inadequate access to contraception; insufficient nursing staff and inadequate infrastructure at clinics and hospitals.
Mr. Granger pointed to the fact that pregnancies will occur wherever people live in the country but that most maternal deaths can be prevented with appropriate care despite demographic, economic and geographic challenges. He said that evidence suggested that maternal deaths can be exacerbated by low numbers of skilled personnel – doctors, midwives and nurses – many of whom can be overworked. About 18 nurses have been leaving the public health service every month since 2022. In fact, 219 nurses resigned from the service in 2022; 178 nurses resigned from the Ministry of Health with 100 of those resignations occurring in May 2023.
The former President recommended that a policy of primary healthcare – PHC – be implemented and intensified as a whole-of-society approach to ensure the highest possible level of health for everyone, everywhere in the country. PHC will focus on people’s needs as early as possible – from health promotion and disease prevention to treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care. PHC entails engaging and empowering women, families and communities for increased social participation and enhanced self-care and self-reliance in health.
Mr. Granger expressed confidence that maternal deaths can be reduced, countrywide, and women can receive the care they need during and after pregnancy. This will require the implementation of policies which include access and universal coverage in maternal and sexual and reproductive health, accessible maternal health services and the attention of professional doctors and nurses who are available, trained, equipped and respectful of the rights and needs of expectant mothers. It will require, also, the establishment of ‘neighbourhood’ maternal clinics and health centers and maternity hospitals with qualified healthcare professionals in rural villages on the coastland and in the hinterland where mothers need to travel long distances to access care.
The Former President asserted that the state of Guyana has a moral and constitutional obligation to assure every woman of her right to health when she is risking death to give the nation a new life. 󠄀
