MoHSS clarifies procedures regarding removal of newborn in Reg. 6

See full statement from the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security:

The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has taken note of a recent media article suggesting that a family from Region Six had their newborn removed from the New Amsterdam Hospital without their knowledge. The Ministry wishes to state clearly that at every stage of the process, the family was engaged, informed, and spoken with compassion and respect. All actions taken were guided solely by the responsibility to protect the newborn’s health and well-being.

Following the baby’s delivery at the New Amsterdam Hospital, the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) was alerted by medical staff, who expressed concern that both the mother and maternal grandmother appeared to display signs of developmental delay. In keeping with standard child safeguarding procedures, the CPA initiated a comprehensive assessment to understand the circumstances surrounding the newborn.

As part of this assessment, CPA officers conducted home visits to the family’s residence in Port Mourant. Despite guidance and repeated discussions with the family on maintaining a safe environment for the baby, the living conditions were found to be severely unsanitary and not conducive to caring for a newborn. The agency made ongoing efforts to support the family in improving these conditions, explaining the importance of a clean and safe space, especially for an infant with a developing immune system. Community enquiries further revealed that the family often relies heavily on neighbours for day-to-day assistance, underscoring the household’s vulnerabilities.

During the assessment period, the maternal grandmother also informed CPA officers that she is ill and requires weekly hospital visits, a circumstance that further constrained the family’s ability to provide consistent and adequate care.

Given these findings, the CPA met with the family on several occasions and carefully explained the concerns, the steps required to improve the environment, and the possibility of temporary alternative care if conditions remained unsuitable. The agency explored kinship care options; however, none of the individuals proposed by the family were known caregivers, relatives with established ties to the child, or persons capable of safely taking responsibility for a newborn. In fact, the family repeatedly presented individuals who were either strangers or persons they barely knew to assume responsibility for the child.

Medical staff at the New Amsterdam Hospital also advised that prolonged hospitalisation posed health risks to the infant, including possible infection. With no suitable caregiver identified and the home environment still unsafe despite the Ministry’s guidance and attempts to support the family, the CPA was obligated to finalise an alternative temporary placement to safeguard the baby.

Throughout the hospital visits, the family was repeatedly encouraged, both by CPA and hospital staff, to engage with officers at the Whim Probation Office. Unfortunately, they did not comply. On the day the baby was scheduled for discharge, CPA officers attempted to contact the mother and maternal grandmother through multiple channels; however, they could not be reached or located at the time. It is essential to clarify that all reasonable efforts were made to contact the family the day before the child’s discharge.

The newborn is now in the protective care of the CPA, where the child’s safety, development, and well-being are being prioritised. The Ministry will work closely with the family to improve their circumstances. The ultimate goal is to reunite the child with the family once conditions allow and the home environment meets the required standards of safety.

The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security reaffirms its commitment to handling all child welfare matters with compassion, professionalism, and transparency. Our foremost priority is the protection and well-being of every child in Guyana, and we remain dedicated to supporting families while ensuring that no child is placed in an unhealthy environment.

Family says newborn uplifted from NA Hospital without their knowledge