–Dr Jagdeo rubbishes Norton’s false claims of maternal deaths being on the rise
–highlights deplorable healthcare sector left behind by former APNU+AFC administration

REELING from a healthcare sector that was left in shambles by the former A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) administration, People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) General Secretary, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, has rubbished the opposition’s “dishonest and short-sighted” attack on the strides that are currently being made in the sector.

At the recent launch of the APNU’s 2025 elections campaign at the Square of the Revolution, Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton made the inaccurate claims including that maternal deaths in Guyana are on the rise.

Dr Jagdeo during his press conference at Freedom House on Thursday, set the record straight on the country’s healthcare progress.

The GS while engaging the media did not mince words as he slammed the APNU+AFC’s five-year tenure which left not only the nation with depleted drug stocks, but also with what some have described as inhumane health facilities.

Even when dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, the current administration improved the state of the health sector.

Aside from the $10 billion in expired drugs that the PPP/C government was forced to destroy, Dr. Jagdeo shared pictures of the deplorable state of the Enmore polyclinic when APNU+AFC left office.

The polyclinic’s flooring was missing, tiles and the beds and ceiling were in  terrible condition. Dr. Jagdeo emphasised that that is what the PPP had to deal with.

Speaking on his government’s investments in healthcare and how they have transformed the landscape, he pointed to the construction of several regional hospitals.

Already the Enmore and Diamond Regional Hospitals have been opened. The hospitals at Lima, De Kinderen, Bath and  No 75 are on track to be commissioner later this year.

These hospitals will possess a 24-hour Accident and Emergency unit, 24-hour labs, a suite of imaging services including ultrasound, digital X-Ray, and CT scans, along with operation theatres and more.

Alongside these major facilities, the government has also injected significant investments to improve healthcare delivery for residents residing in hinterland communities.

The Moruca Regional Hospital, the Kato Regional Hospital and the Lethem Regional Hospital, are scheduled to become operational by 2027.

In Kamarang, Region Seven, a modern hospital will also be built.

Dr. Jagdeo also spoke about Norton’s assertion regarding maternal deaths, which has since been firmly refuted by the Ministry of Health and healthcare officials, who have described the statement as not only factually wrong but dangerously misleading.

He said: “So to have Norton go at his campaign launch and falsely claim that maternal death is on the rise, it’s representative of how dishonest they are, he is, and their whole campaign is, and also shortsighted.”

The fact of the matter is that healthcare deteriorated significantly in the five years that APNU+AFC was in office, Dr. Jagdeo said.

Contrary to Norton’s remarks, Guyana has recorded significant improvements in maternal and neonatal health over the past several years.

According to the Ministry of Health, maternal deaths due to postpartum haemorrhage, a leading cause of maternal mortality, fell from 23 cases in 2019 to 14 in 2024. Neonatal deaths have also seen a sharp 60 per cent decline in the first nine months of 2024, dropping from 68 in 2023 to 28 during the same period this year.

Guyana’s maternal health improvements are rooted in several landmark initiatives under the PPP/C administration including: Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) which are now operational in nine hospitals nationwide and are equipped with modern life-saving equipment including ventilators, incubators, and cardiac monitors; maternal waiting homes which are strategically placed at hospitals, particularly in remote regions and provides safe accommodation for high-risk expectant mothers, ensuring timely medical care when it matters most; telemedicine hubs, a total of 81 which allows rural health workers to connect directly with obstetricians and gynaecologists, and the newborn cash grant which is a  transformative social policy that  provides $100,000 to every newborn, benefitting over 2,000 families so far.

A FLAGSHIP HOSPITAL FOR MOTHERS AND CHILDREN

The government’s most ambitious maternal health project to date — the $12.4 billion Paediatric and Maternal Hospital at Ogle — is on track for completion later this year. Once operational, the hospital will serve as a level five regional referral centre and is expected to elevate Guyana’s maternal and paediatric-care capacity to world-class standards.

The facility will feature 256 beds within a 24,000 square-metre space; CT and MRI diagnostic tools, modern X-ray units, and a high-tech laboratory; and specialised services for maternal emergencies and high-risk pregnancies.

As Guyana moves closer toward achieving its 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, the country is standing out in a region where many nations remain off track. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 300,000 women die globally each year from pregnancy-related complications. Yet, in Guyana, those numbers are steadily falling, thanks to sound policies, inclusive leadership and an unwavering focus on healthcare for all.

In the face of misinformation, the government has reiterated its commitment to transparency, evidence-based policymaking, and protecting the health of every mother and child in Guyana.