Health Minister commits to improving Maternal Unit at WDRH

…as US$25,000 in equipment handed over

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony on Saturday visited the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where he pledged to address issues that have been facing the Maternal and Child Health Department in delivering services to the nation.
The new Minister would have handed over a number of medical equipment to enhance operations of the Maternal Unit, where he led an inspection of the wing.
There, concerns were raised that the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) has not been functioning for some years due to an infestation of fungus and mould. Babies were removed from the section as a result and placed in another area.

As such, Dr Anthony said the Ministry will seek to refurbish the area so that it can be occupied by newborns.
“We understand that there was a problem with fungus and mould that was affecting that area. Because of that, they had to remove the babies from there. We believe that we can have that area refurbished, remove those material that has been infested with the fungus and mould; and perhaps be able to sort that whole area out,” he explained.
There is also the problem of unstable electricity, which he said will be addressed in collaboration with the Region Three administration. This, he noted, is crucial for new medical equipment function effectively.
“In some sections, you have a little bit of unstable electricity. We will work with the region to be able to fix that so when the new equipment come, they would not be affected. These equipment cost a lot of money and we don’t want that after we bring them, after a day or two they stop working because the electricity is unstable.”
This project was aimed at enhancing the obstetrics department across Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Nine (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
This supply of beds, cots, trolleys and lamps is pegged at US$25,000. Dr Anthony said another contribution of cardiac monitors and essential pieces of medical equipment will be brought over shortly since the hospital has an immediate need for such equipment. While it is being delivered, the electrical issues will be stabilised.
“Maternal and child health is one of the priorities of the Government and we would want to ensure that our mothers and babies are safe. This project was conceived to ensure that three of our regions have the adequate facilities that they need to have safe deliveries and enhance the environment where mothers are kept,” the new Minister said.
He added, “The assessments that were done pointed out to the needs of the regions. This is just the first part of what we’re doing. We’re happy that not only did the beds come but that they would have started to utilise them.”