The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Government of Canada on Wednesday handed over a second batch of anthropometric and maternal health equipment to the Ministry of Health during a simple ceremony at the Ministry’s Headquarters on Brickdam, Georgetown.
The equipment was donated by UNICEF (Guyana and Suriname) with funding from the Canadian High Commission in Guyana. This second batch of equipment was valued at approximately CAD$170,000, bringing the overall investment from Canada through UNICEF to approximately CAD$230,000.
Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, accepted the donation on behalf of the Government of Guyana, and expressed gratitude for the continued partnership.
The Minister noted that this was the second set of equipment received, following an earlier hand-over at the Kingston Bond, Georgetown, and emphasised that the initiative supports the Government’s ongoing efforts to improve child health outcomes, particularly reducing infant and under-five mortality.
Dr Anthony noted that ensuring children attend clinics regularly and are assessed, using the correct parameters, is essential to improving health outcomes. He explained that the newly received equipment will help healthcare professionals better monitor maternal and child health, particularly in hard-to-reach regions such as Regions One (Barima- Waini), Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni)and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
‘’Over the past few years, the Ministry has worked to improve access to healthcare in these regions by rehabilitating health posts and health centres, expanding solar power systems, introducing telemedicine services, and training community members to serve as community health workers, with at least two trained community health workers now present at many facilities,” said the Minister.
He pointed out that equipping these centres with modern tools is a critical next step.
The equipment received included weighing and measurement scales, portable ultrasound machines, and fetal dopplers, which will support antenatal care and help healthcare workers monitor babies during pregnancy.
The Maternal and Child Health Department will ensure healthcare workers receive the necessary training to use the equipment effectively.
The Ministry of Health expressed sincere appreciation to UNICEF and the Government of Canada for their continued support and reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening maternal and child health services across Guyana.
Among those present at the ceremony were Officer-in-Charge of UNICEF Guyana and Suriname Representative, Gabriel Vockel; Deputy Director and Head of Cooperation and Development at the Canadian High Commission, Adam Loyer; and Director of Family and Primary Health Care in the Ministry of Health, Dr Ertenisa Hamilton, along with other health officials.
