The Ministry of Health is expanding quality controls and interventions across the public health sector as the government seeks to build on the progress made in reducing maternal deaths over the past decade.
Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony said maternal deaths have declined in recent years due to targeted interventions, including expanded training for healthcare workers to respond to postpartum haemorrhage, that is, when women bleed excessively after childbirth.
“In the last… three to four years, we have not had any case of postpartum hemorrhage,” Dr Anthony said, attributing the improvement largely to training programmes for healthcare workers.
The government has also been developing “waiting homes” near hospitals, particularly in remote areas, to accommodate expectant mothers who live far from hospitals. The initiative aims to reduce unsafe deliveries that can occur while women travel long distances during labour.
Dr Anthony said about six waiting homes have already been established across the country, with additional facilities planned for interior areas. He pointed to Region One, where there were no recorded maternal deaths last year, evidence that the intervention is having a positive impact.
Alongside prevention measures, the ministry has strengthened investigative and oversight mechanisms for maternal deaths. Dr Anthony said that when a maternal death occurs, the patient’s medical chart is secured within 24 hours and submitted to the Chief Medical Officer to prevent any alteration of records.
Review teams are then assigned to investigate the case, while doctors and nurses found negligent can face disciplinary action before the Medical Council or Nursing Council, including the possible loss of their licences.
The ministry also reviews “near misses”, cases in which patients survive severe complications, as teaching tools for healthcare workers.
Dr Anthony said the next phase of reform will focus on broader quality audits across the healthcare system, extending beyond maternal care to chronic diseases and other services. Under the programme, auditors will review patient charts to determine whether healthcare workers are following established treatment protocols and whether patients are receiving appropriate care.
Where deficiencies are identified, healthcare workers may be required to undergo additional training.
“The whole thrust is to make sure patients get the best care, and that everybody in the system is accountable to the patient,” Anthony said.
The government is also working with Joint Commission International (JCI), a global healthcare accreditation body, to implement accreditation programmes at six new hospitals in Guyana. Dr Anthony said the initiative will include random inspections to ensure hospitals consistently adhere to established standards.
Medical errors remain a challenge globally, Dr Anthony noted, adding that the government’s objective is to build a healthcare culture centred on accountability, patient safety and standardised care.
“We want to ensure that we eliminate that or reduce that significantly,” he said.