Robertson S. Henry. Sports and Cultural Contributor
FRIDAY MARCH 15, 2013; KINGSTOWN, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – Saint Vincent and the Grenadines continues to enjoy increasing successes in the island’s Neonatal and Prenatal mortality rate, despite the lack of more advanced technological and sophisticated capabilities as enjoyed by many developed nations.
The Neonatal Mortality rate in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines “continues to experience significant decline from 15.4 deaths to every 1000 live births in 2010, to 11.5 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2011, and 7.44 in 2012.”
This was revealed by Minister of Health, Wellness, and the Environment Honourable Clayton Burgin during the presentation of his ministerial statement last Monday March 11, 2013 at the first Sitting of Parliament since the 2013 Budget Debate.
According to the Health Minister, this is remarkable, which can be directly related to the efforts of staff at the Ministry and the island’s health facilities to increase the rescue rate of our babies, and the policies of the government to deliver equitable and safe care to all citizens, including newborns.”
The stillbirth rate also fell from 20.3 per 1,000 of the total births in 2011, to 14.6 of the total births in 2012.
Minister Burgin further informed the House Sitting that this success was as a result of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit which has been the recipient of outstanding support by the World Pediatric Project, and the Pan American Health Organisation.
Minister of Health Hon. Clayton Burgin.
Also aiding in the decline in the number of stillbirths was donations of medicines and medical supplies by the Government of Chile and civic organizations in Canada.
In 2012 the Prenatal Mortality rate stood at 22.05 per 1,000 total births, and that was the lowest recorded since 2007. In 2010, the recorded figured was 33.8 and 31.9 in 2011.
However teenage pregnancies continue to be of immense concern to the Minister and his staff, with 2012 recording a disturbingly high rate of 17.9-percent. Of these eight girls between the ages of 11 and 14 years old respectively gave birth.
“A coordinated effort is needed to tackle this problem,” the Minister cautioned his House colleagues. “It will require the active input of every sector of society to correct this problem.”
Clayton Burgin. Photo courtesy searchlight.vc
Of concern also are the congenital anomalies; babies who are born with birth defects. This increased from 13 in 2011, to 21 in 2012. In an effort toward bringing about a significant and consistent decrease in this, the Maternal and Child Health Care Committee is currently discussing the pros and cons of the use of folic acid for mothers as the means of minimizing this disturbing high rate.
In 2012 there was only one recorded maternal death in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, as a result of the mother being a poor attendee at the health clinic.
Health Minister Burgin advised “all pregnant mothers to visit your district nurse or doctor very early in pregnancy. This will allow for early detection and management of complications which may arise.”
However despite these successes, a number of goals have been identified by the Minister for 2013, which are further decreasing the mortality rate amongst premature and sick newborns; quality improvement of neonatal care; acquiring of new equipment for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; and further enhancing of all medical staff on neonatal care.
LIKE this story on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/I-Love-St-Vincent-the-Grenadines-Because/157809824237580?ref=ts&fref=ts
