-special COVID-19 measures implemented at hospitals

MATERNAL and Child Health Officer Dr. Oneka Scott, on Thursday, appealed to pregnant women to take extra precautionary measures during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to safeguard themselves and unborn child or children.

The appeal was made during a virtual seminar in commemoration of World Patient Day, where Dr. Scott disclosed that 11 pregnant women were among the 1,958 COVID-19 cases registered in Guyana up to that point.

Dr. Scott stated that, because contracting COVID-19 could result in premature deliveries, the Ministry of Health is advising pregnant women to exercise extreme caution and to keep away from crowds to reduce the risk of contracting the disease.

To date, Guyana has not recorded any early deliveries among those affected, and Dr. Scott attributed this to many pregnant patients being asymptomatic.
However, a COVID-19 maternity patient who had underlying health conditions died in August, while another is currently in the Georgetown Public Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Guyana has been proactive in finding alternative measures to care for pregnant women through protocols outlined by the Maternal and Child Health Department. They are expected to reduce risks and prevent transmission of the virus while ensuring a safe delivery for mother and child.

After birth, parents are also informed of special procedures that set out breastfeeding measures and infant care, especially since infants have also been diagnosed with the disease.

In addition to various channels for patient education, select areas have been identified for pregnant women at hospitals. A special wing in the bottom flat of the Infectious Diseases Hospital has also been set up with 40 beds for obstetrics. (DPI)