…as PAHO donates lifesaving suites to manage haemorrhaging mothers

HOSPITALS in Guyana will soon be better equipped to manage patients who experience obstetric haemorrhaging, now that the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) has donated 100 non-pneumatic anti-shock garments (NASGs) to the Public Health Ministry.

A non-pneumatic anti-shock garment is a low-technology lifesaving device used to treat hypovolemic shock. It is believed that when used in the case of an obstetric haemorrhage, it can help to reduce maternal deaths. An obstetrical haemorrhage is defined as heavy bleeding of a woman during or shortly after a pregnancy.

Monday, PAHO/WHO Country Representative, Dr William Adu-Krow, handed over 100 of the lifesaving suits to Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence at the Ministry of Public Health.
Dr. Adu-Krow, during the simple handing-over ceremony, explained that the non-pneumatic anti-shock garments are used to stabilise patients as they are being transferred to another health facility. It is his hope that the garments would be distributed to hospitals where they are needed the most. He believes that the utilisation of the garments can help reduce maternal deaths in the country.

Minister Lawrence, while thanking PAHO for responding to the needs of the Ministry of Health, said the NASGs will help the ministry bring down the country’s maternal death rate.
The NASGs, she said, will be of significant benefit to hospitals operating in the country’s hinterland. “I believe for the staff this is going to help them to breathe a sigh of relief, because whenever we lose a pregnant woman from the hinterland it does have an effect on the staff of the Ministry of Public Health and having another tool at their disposal to use in postpartum issues is certainly going to help to boost their ego, boost their strength, boost their focus in terms of being able to save lives,” Minister Lawrence said.

She said it is the intention of the Public Health Ministry to have one of the NASGs form part of a medevac kit.
For 2019, the Public Health Ministry will be placing emphasis on maternal and child health with the aim of reducing the occurrence of maternal deaths.

According to statistics, the effectiveness of the garment has been proven. Studies carried out in Africa showed a 52 per cent decrease in mortality during the NASG phase. One hundred and fifty healthcare workers within the ministry have already been trained to use the garments with technical support from PAHO/WHO. The “Zero Maternal Death from haemorrhage” training began in 2018. To date, nine workshops have been completed covering Regions One, Two, Three, Four, Six and Seven.