REGIONAL Health Officer of Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Dr. Edward Sagala, has expressed gratitude to the President, Dr. Irfaan Ali-led government for ensuring that the region’s health unit is functioning properly, following the safe delivery of twins by emergency caesarean section (C-section).
Dr. Sagala said the babies were delivered on Tuesday, after their mother suffered a fall.
“Now, two healthy twin boys and both below 2,500 grams are safely here. We have a state-of-the-art Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) with trained staff,” Dr. Sagala said.
The NICU was commissioned under the previous administration and equipped through a partnership between the Health Ministry and Guyana Help the Kids Organisation.
Dr. Sagala said it had not been functioning to capacity because there was a shortage of supplies and critical equipment such as the CPAP machine and ventilator.
“The NICU is now functional again, thanks to the much-appreciated efforts of Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo, whose efforts have also seen other departments functioning to capacity such as the X-ray unit and laboratory,” he said. Dr. Sagala said that, in a week’s time, the CT scanner should be fully functional as well. To date, 15 neonates have since utilised the NICU.
Also, two Bartica nurses, who have been trained, are also serving the unit. In the absence of a neonatologist, a Cuban paediatrician is in charge of the NICU. (DPI)