The Canadian High Commission to Guyana yesterday launched a Cdn$2.5 million project that aims to improve maternal and neonatal health across Guyana’s hinterland regions.
The $386m project will be executed by McMaster University and will last for five years. The main objective of the project is to reduce mortality rates among women of childbearing age, newborns, and children under five years old in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine. During the life of the project, pregnant women in those areas will be assessed at least once by an obstetrician at a clinic in their own community. The project also provides for the training and staff at community health centres to promote routine antenatal testing as well as procuring equipment.
The launching of the project took place at Cara Lodge, Georgetown.
Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Mark Berman told attendees that in many countries around the world, the availability of health services, especially in rural areas is still an issue. He said Canada is committed to supporting Guyana to ensure the country breaches the gap between the hinterland and the coast.
“Lack of access to health care continues to contribute to gender inequality, to discrimination, to violence and to disempowerment….Canada remains very much committed to delivering essential quality health care to every women, every child, every family, everyone, everywhere here in Guyana,” he said.
Apart from improved health services and access, communities are expected to benefit from family health planning activities as well as training to reduce adolescent pregnancy.
Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony in brief remarks noted that Guyana and Canada have had a great partnership for a long time. He noted that Guyana is on a path to ensure that the hinterland can have access to the same level of health services available on the coast and this project will assist in this regard.
“We have started but we need that little impetus to make sure that all the regional hospitals will eventually have neonatal services and that is what this project will help us to do in many ways,” Anthony said.
