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December 28, 2025
December 28, 2025
December 27, 2025
A newly completed GY$47 million, 12-bed Maternal Waiting Home was officially commissioned on Saturday at the Kumaka District Hospital in Region One. The facility is intended to promote safer pregnancies and reduce maternal mortality in the Moruca Sub-District and the wider hinterland.
Purpose-built, the waiting home provides expectant mothers from remote communities with a safe and comfortable environment before and after delivery. It features consultation and examination rooms, as well as a fully equipped laundry area and kitchen, ensuring both medical care and day-to-day convenience are readily available.
“Most maternal deaths are preventable, and we must take deliberate actions to avoid them,” Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony said at the commissioning ceremony, emphasising the importance of early access to care.
Dr. Anthony highlighted that pregnant women from remote villages have historically embarked on long and challenging journeys to hospitals only after labour had begun, sometimes resulting in deliveries en route and preventable complications.
To address this challenge, Maternal Waiting Homes have been constructed at interior hospitals, allowing women, particularly those at risk or in remote areas, to travel to hospital early, stay nearby, and access professional care when labour begins. The Minister said maternal mortality has decreased in all hospitals where such homes have been established.
The Kumaka facility will allow mothers to remain in a secure and comfortable environment both before and after childbirth at the adjacent hospital. Minister Anthony noted that the waiting home was intentionally designed with maternal comfort in mind, reflecting the significant investment made.
The commissioning forms part of a broader government strategy to strengthen maternal and child health services, particularly in hinterland regions where geographic barriers limit access to care.
“Over the past few years, there has been significant improvements, not only with new equipment and infrastructure but also with increased staffing so we can deliver better service,” Dr. Anthony said, noting that enhancements extend beyond Kumaka to several health centres in the sub-region.
Regional Health Officer for Region One, Dr. Steven Cheefoon, praised healthcare workers for their dedication in supporting the region’s transformation. “Today, we are commissioning digital X-rays and a maternal waiting home where mothers can relax in comfort, be closely monitored, and deliver healthy babies. A healthy baby is the first step to a successful future,” he said.
Dr. Cheefoon reaffirmed the region’s commitment to eliminating maternal deaths, stillbirths, and preventable complications. “Let us all share in this joy today. This is a milestone for Moruca and a proud moment for Region One,” he added.
The government said it remains committed to expanding similar initiatives across Guyana. Currently, eight Maternal Waiting Homes are operational nationwide, providing a combined capacity of approximately 169 beds.
The cutting of the ceremonial ribbon to open the new home
Inside the newly commissioned home
