Region 1 records zero maternal deaths as healthcare services expand – RHO

Region One (Barima-Waini) has recorded significant improvements in the healthcare sector through expanded services, improved infrastructure and increased training programmes aimed at enhancing the quality and accessibility of healthcare for residents, while improving maternal care and the availability of essential medical services.
Regional Health Officer Dr Mitchell Pierre reported on Friday that there were no maternal deaths within the region, adding that the smooth delivery of babies highlights the strides made by healthcare officials in improving maternal health services.
“The patients are in a better position to get quality healthcare, and that’s the fact. We can’t debate. Region One would have continued to excel and to expand in the sector of healthcare service delivery. We would have seen an increase in infrastructure, in human resources, in training programmes, healthcare programmes and service delivery, and also administrative coordination with the RDC.”

He added, “the past two years. And that’s not all. Ever since the commencement of our waiting home programme, for 2025, we were awarded the Most Improved Maternal Care in this country. Mabaruma Hospital was awarded that. Why? They had 659 deliveries, and all were live births – no dead babies for 2025. It’s because of the initiatives of this Government.”
Regional Executive Officer Dr Steven Cheefoon also highlighted that X-rays, which were never previously available in the region, are now being provided.
“We’re in the process of getting people to do that. Pakira, who never had an X-ray before, now has X-rays. All three of our sub-regions, of our five hospitals, only one doesn’t have an X-ray, and we’ll send a portable to get all five hospitals offering X-ray. We need to understand from where we came; this is where we’re at. And if we could have done all of this in five years, well, now six, imagine what we can do in a couple more years. We will revolutionise care in Region One.”
Region One has three district hospitals, one cottage hospital, four health centres and 52 health posts serving communities across the region.
Over the past six years, the region has also recorded an increase in the number of general practitioners, or Community Medical Officers (CMOs), from 11 to 36.