Partnership lays claim to 50 percent dip in neonatal deaths

OVER A DECADE AGO, the Ministry of Health and the Giving Health to Kids organization
(GHTK) forged a partnership to help combat high neonatal deaths in Guyana. Since then, there
has been a steep 50 percent drop in the number of children who die during the first month after
birth. Deaths of newborns during this period are called neonatal mortality.
Nevertheless, the health ministry is still concerned about existing gaps in neonatal care in the
country’s regional hospitals and the healthcare institutions in the sprawling hinterland areas.
President Irfan Ali and Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony met recently with Dr. Narendra
Singh, GHTK, President, where they expressed full support the principle that “every baby born
in Guyana should have equal access to the highest level of neonatal care if required”.
The two sides established a level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the apex Georgetown
Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and Level 1 NICUs in Linden, New Amsterdam, West
Demerara, Suddie and Bartica.
Dr. Singh, accompanied by Dr. Leif Nelin (Neonatologist), Dr. Anna Florinda-Chin (local
Neonatologist), toured the New Amsterdam, West Demerara, Lethem and Bartica Hospitals on a
recent Guyana visit.
Dr Singh and team also met separately with health minister Anthony, Chief Medical Officer
(CMO), Dr. Narine Singh, and the Director General of the Ministry of Health, Dr Vishwa
Mahadeo.
They held talks centered on establishing a sustainable Neonatal Network in all regional hospitals,
including the hinterland to ensure the optimal health of the country’s newborns.
The pact involves elevation of neonatal care to higher levels (i.e Level 2/3) to support critically-
ill babies.
The Guyana government is committed heavy capital investment to secure vital neonatal
equipment along with the training of healthcare providers to provide world-class care for the
most vulnerable of the country’s population.

For its part, GHTK will support training of healthcare providers along with establishing a
Neonatal Network and a Neonatal Transport Programme.
Through the partnership, the University of Guyana (UG) has been offering a Master Degree in
Pediatrics and Diploma and Degree programmes in neonatal care and so far, 22 persons have
graduated as pediatricians and 70 as neonatal nurses.
Under Dr. Sara Singh, a graduate of the programme, and her team, the GPHC has saved
hundreds of babies every year from possible neonatal deaths.
In the last two years, the charity has expanded its reach into the Organisation of American
States (OAS) to include Antigua where it is managing an ongoing Neonatal Nursing
Programme.