The Ministry of Health has officially commissioned a newly completed GY$47 million Maternal Waiting Home, which will feature 12 beds within the compound of the Kumaka District Hospital. This investment aims to promote safer pregnancies and reduce maternal mortality in the Moruca Sub-District and the wider hinterland region.
The facility is purpose-built to offer expectant mothers from remote communities a safe and comfortable environment to stay both before and after delivery. Key features include:
Consultation and examination rooms
A fully equipped laundry area
A kitchen to ensure daily convenience
During the commissioning ceremony, Dr. Frank Anthony, Minister of Health, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reducing maternal deaths nationwide, particularly in hinterland regions such as Regions 1, 7, 8, and 9.
Historically, pregnant women from remote areas have faced lengthy and challenging journeys to hospitals only after labor had begun, often resulting in deliveries en route and complications. “Most maternal deaths are preventable, and we must take deliberate actions to avoid them,” Dr. Anthony stated, stressing the importance of early access to care.
To tackle this issue, the Ministry has been constructing Maternal Waiting Homes at various interior hospitals. These facilities allow pregnant women, especially those at risk or living in remote areas, to arrive at the hospital early, stay nearby, and access professional care as labor begins. Notably, maternal mortality has decreased in hospitals where such waiting homes have been established.
The Kumaka Maternal Waiting Home is designed with maternal comfort in mind. After childbirth at the adjacent hospital, mothers can return to the facility until they’re ready to reunite with their families and travel back to their communities.
Minister Anthony expressed his satisfaction with the ongoing transformation of health facilities and services in the region. “Over the past few years, there have been significant improvements—not just with new equipment and infrastructure, but also with increased staffing,” he noted.
Regional Health Officer (RHO) for Region One, Dr. Steven Cheefoon, expressed deep appreciation for healthcare workers witnessing the region’s transformation, reflecting on the challenges faced during the early COVID-19 pandemic.
“With the commissioning of digital X-rays and the new maternal waiting home, we ensure that mothers can relax in comfort, be closely monitored, and deliver healthy babies,” Dr. Cheefoon assured, reaffirming the region’s commitment to eliminating maternal deaths and preventable complications.
The commissioning of the Kumaka Maternal Waiting Home is part of a broader government strategy to strengthen maternal and child health services, particularly in hinterland regions. Currently, there are eight Maternal Waiting Homes operational across Guyana, offering a combined capacity of approximately 169 beds.
The Ministry of Health continues to expand similar initiatives to ensure safe deliveries for mothers and a healthy start for every child in Guyana.
