Sixteen healthcare professionals have been certified by the Latin America Centre for Perinatology/Women and Reproductive Health (CLAP/WR) through the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) and the Public Health Ministry as contraceptive implant providers for women in Guyana.
The healthcare professionals, ranging from nurses, doctors, general practitioners, obstetrician and gynaecologist, were trained in the area for a two-year period.
According to CLAP’s Regional Advisor, Dr Rodolfo Gomez, not only is contraceptive implant a necessary part of family planning but it also reduces the mortality rate among women.
PAHO’s Guyana Representative, Dr William Adu-Krow and CLAP’s Regional Advisor, Dr Rodolfo Gomez along with the 16 healthcare professionals who have been certified by the Latin America Centre for Perinatology/Women and Reproductive Health (CLAP/WR)
“When we think of family planning, we are not only thinking about the right to decide, right to health, universal health coverage and more. We are thinking in reducing maternal mortality that is the first step. Thirty per cent of maternal mortality can be reduced only with modern contraception and this particular training, we trained them in how to use the two most effective contraceptive methods, IUD’s and implants, that are more effective than any other” Gomez explained.
Dr Gomez revealed, however, that when removed, the implanted contraceptive will not affect fertility.
“This implant is with the advantage that it is removable. When removed, the fertility returns in the next month” the advisor revealed.
PAHO’s Guyana Representative, Dr William Adu-Krow, noted that 33 per cent of all maternal deaths can be prevented if women who need contraceptive receive it. In Guyana, he revealed, this unmet need is presently between 32-34 per cent.
As such, Adu-Krow revealed that as a result of this, he approached the Family Planning Unit to get the ball rolling in making a change.
“In between 32-34 per cent unmet needs. That means people who actually want contraception and cannot get it. Why should that be the case? It’s not PAHO’s mandate to be buying things but when I heard a story from Region One of a woman crying and begging for the implant, I visited the Family Planning Unit and I asked them to get us 200 implants” Dr Adu-Krow explained.
However, he was in for a shock when the backlog list could not be covered by the 200 purchased.
“Then I asked how many persons were on the waiting list and then they said that the 200 was too small. I asked for another 200 that we bought on the open market, it’s expensive but it was needed. In all, I think that PAHO has been able to procure a great lot and I hope that we covered the backlog,” Adu-Krow said.
Those certified will now be dispatched to regions throughout Guyana to provide this healthcare for women.
