Absence from antenatal clinics contributes to maternal deaths

– Junior Health Minister warns

Junior Public Health Minister, Dr Karen Cummings on Friday stated that when a pregnant mother failed to attend her antenatal clinic sessions, she placed herself and her unborn baby at risk.

According to the Minister, as a result of expectant mothers’ non-attendance or absence from the clinic, the doctor is unable to monitor her health and that of the baby, thereby leaving the mother and infant open to risks. Dr Cummings stated that sometimes a woman could develop hypertension during pregnancy, and would not be aware of such.

“What they don’t know is that if their pressure goes up by 30 per cent over the set range, they are at risk unlike a normal person,” she explained, stating that most women were not immediately joining clinics when they learn of their pregnancy.

“They are not obeying our instructions and that is why they are placing themselves at risk,” she said, adding that it was one of the reasons there were so many deaths. “If they come early, they will be able to be screened and assessed.”

In 2015, Guyana failed to reach the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) to reduce maternal deaths, with 17 maternal mortalities for the year. More so, in 2016, the number of maternal deaths remains relatively high, with 11 so far.

Shadow Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony had stated that the high incidence of maternal deaths was linked to a broken healthcare system, arguing that better primary health care was needed.

He maintained that antenatal care was crucial to preventing complications during pregnancy and at births, and thus advocated for a strong primary healthcare system.

“Many of the maternal deaths would somehow relate to hypertension and bleeding, but they are preventable,” he had said, adding that if Guyana had a strong system of surveillance where pregnant women visit the clinic regularly, medical personnel would be able to monitor those pregnancies considered high risk.

Antenatal care is available in Guyana at different levels of the healthcare system. Although differences still exist between the coastal and hinterland regions in Guyana, the national antenatal coverage rate has been above 90 per cent since the year 2000.

However, the estimated maternal mortality rate presently stands at 229 per 100,000 live births, and has not shown any significant decline since the year 2000.