“The Parliamentary Opposition is deeply concerned about the alleged gross mismanagement of the Suddie Public Hospital. Several nurses and doctors at the hospital have reported that there were no Obstetricians or Gynecologists (OBGYN) on duty for at least two weeks and as such mothers and their babies were at risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Both Gynecologists were on leave. The Neonatologist has since returned; however, the Gynecology Department remains without a specialist.” So said Shadow Minister of Health Dr. Karen Cummings at the Opposition press conference today.
According to Cummings, a medical doctor herself, the Chief Medical Officer sent a General Doctor, who is not an OBGYN, to manage the department and to do surgeries on those mothers.
This situation the shadow minister noted has given rise to concerns, which include:
- In the event of any complications in Surgery, what will be the course of action and who will take such responsibility?
- There are also questions pertaining to whether the new head of department is even qualified to do surgeries.
- Another issue of major concern lies within the Pediatrics department at Public Hospital Suddie. The Neonatal Intensive Care was allegedly deemed unsafe due to multiple neonatal (newborn) deaths. We, in the Opposition, have been informed that there were at least five (5) deaths in the month of June which forced management to close the unit. Information pertaining to the deaths can be verified from the hospital’s records department.
- At present, the Pediatrician is also unavailable to manage the department. For at least two weeks, both the neonatal and pediatric departments were covered by a Cuban doctor whom we understand is allegedly not licensed to practice medicine in Guyana.
The revelations the parliamentarian warned are very disturbing and if fully verified could have serious implications on the health and wellbeing of patients at the hospital and the general accessibility to proper health care by the public.
Guyana’s health system boasts five levels of health care which range from the health posts, health centers, district hospitals, regional hospitals, and the referral hospital, Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. “The system is also decentralised as decision making is spread throughout the ten administrative regions which allows for less bureaucracy but rather a more efficient and better health care system delivery for better health outcomes.”
Guyanese in mid-January 2024 were informed of a $38 million retrofitted Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) being commissioned at the Suddie Hospital while almost simultaneously $21.4 million was also set aside for extension of the Nurses hostel at the Suddie Public Hospital. However, it was not too long ago that a study done by Sarah Singh and others in February 2023 indicated Guyana could see a reduction in Neonatal Intensive care mortality owing to the implementation of a level III NICU, the shadow minister pointed out.
Going further the Opposition reminded the authors of the study warned that the leadership, the staff, and physicians should remain vigilant while adopting a collaborative approach individualised to the local circumstances in the Regions.
Neonatal deaths occur during the first 28 days of life; and whether they are early neonatal deaths which take place early, during the first 7 days or late neonatal deaths occurring after 7 days but before the 28th completed day of life, is a cause for concern. Though there are several predictors of neonatal mortality such as low birth weight, preterm births, and the length of stay at the NICU. Complications of preterm birth, birth asphyxia and neonatal infections are among the common causes of neonatal mortality. It was pointed out that such serious occurrences will reflect the type of prenatal, intrapartum, and neonatal care being offered at the health facility.
In light of unfolding events Cummings is calling on Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony to immediately launch an investigation into this matter and to quickly make public its findings along with all corrective measures taken.
“We proffer that if the trend of neonatal deaths continue, Guyana may fall short of reaching the Sustainable Development Goal 2030 of having at most (least) 12 deaths per 1000 live births. We will continue to demand and agitate for a robust and committed workforce, the acquisition of adequate drugs and medical supplies based on patient intake, and good leadership and management for the providers and users of the health facility. “
