A 23-year-old mother yesterday created history at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), by giving birth to the first cesarean section baby – a healthy 3kg 100 g baby boy with no subsequent complications. Hospital authorities gave the mother’s name as Mandy Smith, adding that she delivered at 12:37hrs. Both mother and baby were said to be doing well, and the mother was resting comfortably in the Recovery Room of the Maternity Theatre.
Meanwhile, another procedure was scheduled to commence within hours of the first, the Hospital’s Public Relations Department said.
The administration considered the successful delivery of the child, a proud moment, not only for his mother, but a proud moment in the Corporation’s history and a significant boost in the delivery of health care to mothers and children of Guyana as well.
The Operating Theatre was officially re-opened on 31 May, 2012 and it serves as part of an overall initiative by the Ministry of Health to reduce maternal mortality in Guyana. This initiative is coupled with the Masters Degree in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Programme which commenced in May of 2012.
The Ministry of Health and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, in collaboration with the University of Guyana and Case Western University Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio, launched this inaugural Residency Programme in Obstetrics & Gynaecology to train Guyanese physicians to become specialists in this area of health care delivery.  Six (6) doctors were selected to undertake this training, two (2) of whom were specially chosen to perform the procedure yesterday.
The operating theatre is conveniently located a stone’s throw away from the Pre-natal Unit of the Maternity Ward, so expectant mothers no longer have to be transported via the ambulance to the Main Operating Theatre which is located in the Ambulatory Care and Diagnostic Center (ACDC) building in the North Block of the hospital’s compound.
The facility is outfitted with all the requisite equipment and medical supplies, as well as staff, who will function on a 24-hour, basis to cater for any emergency case which may be presented. The majority of the equipment was donated by Global Links, a US-based organisation and the Ministry of Health.
Management of the GPHC said it remains cognizant of the need to steadily improve the quality of health care provided to the people of Guyana, as the demand for such care arises.
Chief Executive Officer, Michael Khan reassured that the institution continues to work assiduously to realize the Millennium Development Goals.