The Government of Guyana and the Giving Health to Kids Organization (GHTK) will be working towards a sustainable Neonatal Network at all regional hospitals, including in the hinterland.
A release yesterday from the Ministry of Health said that the government and GHTK established a partnership more than 10 years ago which it said has assisted in reducing neonatal mortality by 50% over the period.
However, the release said that there continues to be gaps in neonatal care in regional hospitals and the hinterland. It stated that President Irfaan Ali and Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony met with Dr. Narendra Singh, GHTK President and expressed full support to the principle that “every baby born in Guyana should have equal access to the highest level of neonatal care if required”
On a recent visit to Guyana, Dr. Singh, accompanied by Dr. Leif Nelin (Neonatologist) and Dr. Anna Florinda-Chin (local Neonatologist), toured the New Amsterdam, West Demerara, Lethem and Bartica Hospitals. The release said that GHTK in partnership with the Government had previously established a level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at GPHC and Level 1 NICUs at Linden, New Amsterdam, West Demerara, Suddie and Bartica.
Following the visits, the GHTK Team subsequently met with Dr Anthony, the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Narine Singh, and the Director General of the Ministry of Health, Dr Vishwa Mahadeo. The discussions centred around establishing a sustainable Neonatal Network at all regional hospitals, including the hinterland to ensure the optimal health of all newborns. This, the release said, would involve lifting neonatal care to higher levels (Level 2/3) to support critically ill babies.
“The Government has committed to a large capital investment to secure vital neonatal equipment along with the training of healthcare providers to care for the most vulnerable of our population. GHTK will support the training of healthcare providers along with the establishment of the Neonatal Network and a Neonatal Transport Programme”, the release said.
It added that the partnership between GHTK and the Government is rapidly approaching sustainability through education and training. The charity has established a Master’s Degree in Paediatrics and a Diploma and Degree programme in neonatal care in partnership with the University of Guyana. These programmes have seen 22 paediatricians and 70 neonatal nurses graduate to date.
