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See full statement issued by the Ministry of Health:

The Ministry of Health expresses its deepest condolences to the family of baby Wendy Wharton, who tragically passed away in the early morning hours of October 12, 2025.

The Ministry joins the hospital community in mourning this loss and reaffirms its commitment to a transparent and comprehensive review of the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Immediately following the event, the hospital initiated an internal clinical investigation led by the attending medical officers, midwifery, and nursing teams.

The review was conducted under the supervision of the Hospital Quality and Patient Safety Department, in keeping with the Ministry of Health’s established standards for the reporting and assessment of critical incidents.

The investigation confirmed that the infant was born at 38 weeks and 2 days gestation via spontaneous vaginal delivery on October 10, 2025. Apgar scores were recorded at 9, 10, and 10, indicating healthy postnatal adaptation.

The infant remained clinically stable and was discharged in good condition on October 11, 2025, continuing to room-in with her mother.

On October 12, 2025, at approximately 5:34 a.m., the infant was discovered unresponsive. Nursing and medical staff immediately commenced resuscitative efforts, including full advanced neonatal life support, in accordance with established protocols. Oxygen was available and adequately supplied throughout the procedure.

During this period, the hospital experienced a brief power outage; however, the backup generator was activated immediately, and the ongoing resuscitation efforts were not affected in any way. Despite sustained and comprehensive intervention, the infant was pronounced deceased at 7:51 a.m.

A post-mortem examination revealed evidence of bronchoaspiration of gastric contents (material from the stomach that was inhaled into the bronchi and lungs), which may have contributed to the infant’s sudden collapse.

While the internal investigation has been completed, the Ministry of Health has also commissioned an external investigation to ensure an independent and thorough review of all clinical and procedural aspects related to this tragic event.

The Ministry of Health, together with the Diamond Regional Hospital, remains steadfast in its commitment to continuous improvement of healthcare systems and protocols to ensure that all citizens receive the highest quality of care.

Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies remain with the Wharton family during this profoundly difficult time.

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Minister of Housing, Collin Croal on Friday revealed that the government has nearly exhausted available land for housing allocations in Region Five, prompting efforts to identify and acquire additional parcels to meet growing demand.

Speaking to reporters, Croal said there are currently about 4,000 pending housing applications in Region 5.

“In fact in Region Five, we are going through the process of trying to find additional lands.

“We know we will have to acquire because we have maximized the proximity, we are in close proximity for the state land and so we will have to go to private owners to be able to acquire. That is what we are doing right now, as we are doing in other regions, Croal said.

Minister of Housing (right) recently visited Region Five (Photo: CH&PA)

He noted that this challenge is not unique to Region Five, as the government has already exhausted available lands for housing schemes along the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara.

Despite this, Croal reaffirmed the government’s commitment to clearing the existing backlog of housing applications, a pledge made by President Irfaan Ali and outlined in the government’s manifesto.

“We have said we will clear all the backlog. That’s the commitment that was made by the President,” he said.

The government has set an ambitious target of delivering 40,000 house lots within the next five years, and according to Croal, the focus has shifted toward ensuring citizens achieve home ownership even as allocations continue where land is still available.

“It therefore means that if we are clearing the backlog, there will be a massive exercise to come to ensure that this is done,” Croal said.

With state lands now largely allocated, particularly in high-demand regions, Croal noted that the Ministry is expected to pursue new partnerships and land acquisitions to sustain the national housing drive.

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Minister of Home Affairs, Oneidge Walrond, has announced that every police station across the country will soon have a community policing desk as part of a wider effort to promote “less force and more engagement” in law enforcement.

In an exclusive interview with News Room, Minister Walrond explained that while a system of Community Policing Groups (CPGs) already exists, many of these groups have become inactive over time.

She said steps are being taken to revive and strengthen them, integrating their work into the core of active policing.

“It is sort of not as vibrant. Some groups had died, but those community policing groups are going to be integrated into active policing.

“The philosophy is to use community policing groups as far as practical, as opposed to uniformed ranks with the use of force in domestic situations,” Walrond said.

Minister of Home Affairs, Oneidge Walrond (center) during a recent meeting with Community Policing Group members

According to the Walrond, community-level interventions are especially critical in remote regions where police presence may be limited and travel distances between communities and police stations are long.

“So, if a person is feeling threatened, there is a community police officer right there in the community with powers to enforce and intervene,” she said.

Walrond noted that the integration will be comprehensive, with every police station now required to have a community policing desk and a designated space for community policing officers.

“That is how they are going to be so much a part of active policing,” she said.

She pointed out that people are more likely to trust officers who come from their own communities rather than those posted from outside, and this approach has already shown positive results in hinterland regions where local officers are helping to defuse conflicts and improve safety.

“We are already seeing it in hinterland regions where interventions are being made. That is the philosophy we are using—less force and more engagement,” Walrond noted.

To support the initiative, Walrond has tasked the Deputy Permanent Secretary with resuscitating inactive community policing groups where necessary, ensuring that community engagement becomes a cornerstone of the country’s policing strategy.

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President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has invited more Chinese companies to invest in Guyana, reinforcing the country’s commitment to deepening bilateral ties and supporting national development, the Chinese Embassy in Guyana reported.

The announcement followed a meeting between Ambassador Yang Yang of China and President Ali, during which the two leaders discussed the state of China-Guyana relations and practical cooperation. Ambassador Yang highlighted Guyana’s firm support for the four global initiatives proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and reaffirmed China’s readiness to strengthen Belt and Road collaboration for the mutual benefit of both nations.

“China stands ready to strengthen synergy with Guyana to deliver more outcomes in Belt and Road cooperation for the benefit of the two countries and two peoples,” Ambassador Yang said in a statement.

President Ali, according to the embassy, spoke highly of the pragmatic partnership between the two countries and expressed his eagerness to expand economic collaboration. He welcomed increased Chinese investment as a means to support Guyana’s ongoing development and transformative projects.

This initiative could boost infrastructure, energy, and technological development in Guyana, further solidifying the strategic partnership between the two countries.

The embassy’s report on its Facebook page highlights both governments’ commitment to strengthening cooperation, with Guyana actively encouraging foreign investment while aligning with the broader Belt and Road framework.

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INCREASING MILITARY BUILDUP

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In a concerted effort to reduce adolescent pregnancies and promote safe motherhood, the Healthy Life Course Unit of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), in collaboration with the Adolescent Health Unit of the Ministry of Health, launched a national awareness campaign, “Let’s End Child Pregnancies,” at the Sophia Health Centre on Wednesday.

The initiative marks the start of Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Week 2025, a series of nationwide activities aimed at empowering young mothers, providing critical guidance, and preventing unintended pregnancies across Guyana.

According to PAHO, adolescent birth rates in Guyana remain higher than the Latin America and Caribbean average, despite a reduction in the adolescent age-specific fertility rate from 80.5 births per 1,000 girls aged 15–19 in 2010 to 66.6 in 2021. Officials say the figures highlight an ongoing public health challenge that requires continued education and community support.

The campaign focused on a “safe motherhood approach”, offering comprehensive guidance on family planning, prenatal care, and healthy lifestyle choices. Key topics addressed during the session included:

• Safe adolescent pregnancy and prevention strategies

• Essential practices for mother and baby

• Emergency signs during pregnancy and referral pathways

• Nutritional guidance

• Educational and career opportunities for adolescent mothers

A notable feature was the introduction of a ‘Roadmap Tool’, designed to actively engage adolescent mothers in understanding each stage of a healthy pregnancy, as well as the benefits of family planning. The session also included open discussions, Q&A segments, and practical advice from healthcare professionals on labour, breastfeeding, and postnatal care.

Nurses at the Sophia Health Centre provided guidance on registering newborns for postnatal clinics and emphasised the importance of continued family planning support. At the conclusion of the event, adolescent mothers received maternity care packages as a gesture of encouragement and practical support.

PAHO noted that similar activities will be held across health facilities nationwide throughout the month, reinforcing a national strategy to reduce teenage pregnancies and improve maternal health outcomes, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targeting 2030.

“This campaign is not just about preventing pregnancies; it’s about empowering young women to make informed choices for their health, education, and future,” PAHO stated, reaffirming its commitment to adolescent health initiatives in Guyana.

The initiative highlights the critical intersection of public health, education, and community engagement, aiming to give adolescent mothers the tools and resources they need to thrive while reducing preventable pregnancies among teenagers.

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Guyana is set to strengthen its position as a regional trade and logistics hub, with the International Road Transport Agreement (IRTA) with Brazil expected to transform cross-border transport, Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, has said.

On Friday, Minister Edghill met with truckers operating along the Georgetown–Brazil corridor in Lethem, Region Nine, to discuss how the agreement will formalise road transport, address operational concerns, and open new business opportunities for local operators.

“Our goal is to move beyond survival or small-scale hustles. We want a system that allows you, your families, and our country to leapfrog into a higher level of trade and economic influence,” Edghill told attendees.

The IRTA, expected to be fully implemented before the end of 2025, will regulate both passenger and cargo transport between the two countries. It aims to simplify licensing, customs, and security procedures, providing clarity for operators while encouraging investment, tourism, and regional economic integration.

Under the agreement, the Ministry of Home Affairs will manage Guyana’s implementation, while Brazil’s National Land Transport Agency (ANTT) will handle oversight in Brazil. Operators must register their businesses, provide key documentation such as TINs and vehicle licences, and appoint a legal representative in Brazil. Successful applicants will receive an official operating licence, with a supplemental ANTT licence to be obtained within 120 days.

Minister Edghill also highlighted supporting infrastructure being developed to facilitate safe and efficient cross-border operations. Plans include air-conditioned container storage, multi-agency border facilities for police, customs, immigration, and anti-narcotics units, and the installation of container scanners at the Takutu Bridge and Lethem crossing by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

“This is more than just moving goods—it’s about creating a structured, secure, and profitable system that benefits operators, communities, and the nation,” Edghill said.

He added that the government is progressing plans for a deep-water harbour, which would bolster Guyana’s role in regional shipping, trade, and logistics, complementing the IRTA initiative and positioning the country as a key economic gateway in South America.

Observers say the agreement could provide a significant boost to hinterland economies, allowing local truckers and logistics companies to expand operations, access new markets, and formalise business practices previously conducted informally.

The Lethem engagement reflects the government’s broader effort to ensure hinterland communities benefit directly from national economic initiatives, aligning local opportunities with regional development strategies.

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Five persons were arrested on Wednesday after ranks from the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) found 5.96 kilogrammes (or about 13.2 pounds) of cocaine at a South Ruimveldt Park house.

CANU said several parcels containing a whitish powdery substance suspected to be cocaine were found at the residence.

The five suspects were arrested and escorted to CANU Headquarters along with the suspected narcotic, which tested positive for cocaine.

Investigations are ongoing, CANU said.

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Kennard Smith, a businessman of Adventure Village, Essequibo Coast, was arrested on Thursday after 13.79 kilogrammes (or about 30 pounds) of cocaine was found at his premises.

A release from the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) noted that officers went to the premises based on intelligence received. When the building was searched, several parcels containing a whitish powdery substance, suspected to be cocaine, were found.

The man was arrested and taken to CANU headquarters with the suspected narcotic. The narcotic later tested positive for cocaine.

Investigations are ongoing, CANU said.

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