Access to maternal health support for expectant mothers, alongside a wider range of primary healthcare services, has been boosted in Region One following the handover of seven boats to improve riverine healthcare delivery.
Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony on Wednesday joined Regional Chairman Brenton Ashley, along with officials of the Regional Health Department in Region One (Barima-Waini), for the handover of seven boats, each with 40-horsepower engines, to enhance healthcare delivery across riverine and remote communities.
The vessels will support maternal health services by enabling expectant mothers to access the Maternal Waiting Home in Mabaruma, also in Region One, where they can receive care from trained midwives, obstetricians and other healthcare professionals in a safe environment ahead of delivery.
They will also facilitate a wide range of essential services, including mobile vaccination outreaches for children, school health programmes, chronic disease monitoring, and home visits for bedridden and vulnerable patients.
The boats will support outreach services along key areas including Red Hill, Blackwater, Savannah, the Waini River, and communities within the Barama and Moruca sub-regions, where access to healthcare has long been a challenge due to distance and transportation limitations.
In his remarks, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony emphasised that Region One’s geography makes river transportation essential for healthcare delivery. He noted that the provision of the boats will strengthen emergency response capabilities and allow for more consistent delivery of comprehensive primary healthcare services.
“This is about bringing healthcare closer to the people,” the minister stated, adding that the investment supports the government’s vision of accessible, affordable and efficient healthcare for all Guyanese.
Ashley noted that the initiative was driven by concerns raised by residents, particularly the high cost and difficulty of travelling long distances, sometimes over 90 miles, to access healthcare services.
The introduction of these boats is expected to significantly reduce that burden, while also ensuring timely medical attention.The handover represents another step in advancing healthcare delivery in hinterland and riverine communities, ensuring no one is left behind due to geographical barriers.
