Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony emphasized the importance of midwives in preventing maternal deaths during the graduation ceremony for the latest batch of midwives from the Midwifery Training Programme held at Pegasus Suites on Wednesday.
“No mother should die because they are giving birth,” Dr. Anthony stated, reinforcing the need for proper practices to eliminate maternal mortality in Guyana. He urged graduates to focus on antenatal care, early detection of high-risk pregnancies, and prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Additional guidance on breastfeeding, complementary feeding, and vaccination was also highlighted.
Addressing those assigned to work in interior regions, he said, “We want to work to eliminate maternal mortality… While we have made progress, we still need to improve our current numbers.”
Dr. Anthony noted the government’s initiative to introduce waiting homes near interior hospitals, a move that has significantly reduced maternal complications by allowing expectant mothers to be close to clinical support during labor.
The Health Education Officer of Health Sciences Education praised the government’s ongoing investment in midwifery education as a critical element of national health development. She underscored the importance of continuously recruiting health professionals, including midwives, and the provision of full government scholarships to build a competent workforce capable of meeting the needs of women, children, and families.
Collaboration among public, private, and regional institutions was also emphasized, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for real-world challenges in healthcare delivery.
