The importance of sexual reproductive health was Monday underscored at the opening session of a three-day workshop which focuses on repositioning family planning as a development and rights issue in Guyana.
The workshop is a collaborative effort among the Ministry of Health, the United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA) and the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO).
It saw the participation of a number of health care providers who were encouraged to become more cognizant of the law and its intent as it relates to improving sexual reproductive health in Guyana.
It is recognised that over the years, health care providers have abdicated their moral responsibilities in this regard to some extent in Guyana, as there are too many instances where medical termination of pregnancies are conducted unsupervised by qualified personnel and are not reported to the Ministry.
Further, a call was made for pharmacists across the country to ensure that certain drugs, such as Cytotec, which is a very effective drug when used under the supervision of trained personnel in the process of medical termination of pregnancies, are only sold upon provision of an authorised prescription.
The workshop will allow for the identification of gaps and weaknesses in the health sector in terms of accessibility to contraceptives and family planning guidance, so as to improve reproductive health in the country. (GINA)