Dear Editor,
The death of a baby at childbirth is always devastating for the parents and other relatives.
It is always difficult for them to comprehend the reason for the death, moreso, if the mother succumbs also. They (the relatives) would have expected that at the hospital in question everything possible would have been done to ensure a successful delivery and the survival of the mother and child thereafter.
My short sojourn at the Lethem Regional Hospital (LRH), allowed me the opportunity to see how assiduously the staff (especially the midwives) worked, in respect to the delivery of babies and the care of mothers.
I cannot recall any incident of a maternal death then or thereafter.
The reason for the LRH success, could have been the rapport between expectant mothers, the MCH staff, midwives and doctor(s); another important aspect was the attendance at clinic by the mothers, who came on foot from far flung areas.
There are few countries that can report an absence of maternal deaths in any given year. To reduce the incidence and, probably, eliminate it, an aggressive programme must be instituted, which should include female education and a strengthened health care system.
The decision by the Ministry of Health, to constantly monitor the health care facilities is commendable, and should assist in allaying the fears of persons who decide to use them. That input should assist in Guyana achieving the MDG 5 by 2015. It can be done.
Yours faithfully,
CS Vaughn
