WHILE the world continues to grapple with the issue of maternal mortality, Guyana is seriously working towards addressing this serious health issue.
Recent research around the world identifies haemorrhage and hypertensive disorders, including pre-eclampsia, as among the leading causes of death among pregnant women, and underscores the need for high-quality, evidence-based pregnancy and post-pregnancy care.

Work is being done towards reducing maternal deaths in Guyana, with increased focus on the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of eliminating all avoidable maternal deaths by 2030.
Health infrastructure and strengthening of services is one of the initiatives in Guyana. Construction of the Paediatric and Maternal Hospital on Demerara’s East Coast and renovations to the Skeldon Regional Hospital in East Berbice-Corentyne, are a few examples of commitment to the same.

The hospitals will provide specialty services to pregnant individuals and children, including delivery, post-delivery, and prenatal services.
External assistance by institutions such as the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is also important in the health networks and healthcare professional capacity building.

Notwithstanding these initiatives, challenges have yet to be overcome. The high infant and maternal death rates relative to other countries within the Region still persist. Inadequate access to quality services in rural districts is still one of the biggest challenges.
In order to overcome these, emphasis must continue to be placed on the enhancement of postnatal, skilled births, and antenatal services. The “three delays” model—minimising delays in seeking, arriving at facilities, and obtaining quality services—can guide interventions to improve mother outcomes.

Furthermore, underlying medical conditions such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and diabetes need to be treated, as these can complicate pregnancy and raise risks.
Guyana’s commitment to ending mother-to-child transmission of HIV by 2025 is a step in the right direction. The government must continue its integrated approach to maternal health, which encompasses both direct obstetric causes and more general preventive measures, to allow women to receive full

care across different stages of life.

With external help and by implementing evidence-based measures, there is a chance to carry forward the progress towards reducing maternal deaths and promoting the health and wellness of all people.
The upcoming World Health Day 2025, to be centred on the theme of maternal and new-born health, is a timely reminder of just how critical and pressing the work is.