In a heartwarming gesture to support new parents, the government of Guyana officially launched its newborn cash grant on Saturday, with a special gift from First Lady Arya Ali and the distribution of birth certificates for over 600 newborns.
The event, held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, was attended by hundreds of parents who gathered to celebrate this historic moment for their families.
First Lady Arya Ali, who was unable to attend in person, sent a thoughtful gift for the new mothers—diapers and baby wipes—providing a small but significant support to help ease the early days of motherhood.
Along with the First Lady’s gift, another key aspect of the launch was the provision of birth certificates for the newborns. This initiative, in partnership with the General Register Office, is part of the government’s effort to streamline administrative processes and make essential services more accessible to parents across Guyana.
A small section of parents gathered at the ACCC
The newborn cash grant, which was first announced in January by Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, offers a one-off $100,000 voucher to every newborn born in Guyana to a Guyanese mother.
The programme, designed to ease the financial strain on new parents, is expected to cost the government approximately $1.3 billion annually. This initiative is open to all qualifying births, with no other restrictions, and will even be provided retroactively to families with babies born in January and February 2025—amounting to over 2,000 newborns.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali, speaking at the event, emphasised that this is more than just a financial handout. “This is a historic moment for Guyana,” said President Ali. “It speaks to the soul of who we are as a society. We refuse to let potential go untapped, or dreams unfulfilled. Children are not just our future—they represent a promise and a blank page waiting to be written.”
The programme aims to be an investment in Guyana’s future, helping families to cover the costs associated with raising a child. The President assured parents that in the future, mothers will receive their cheques before leaving the hospital. For home births, the vouchers will be delivered within the first week.
“This is more than just a grant; it’s a seed planted in the future of our nation,” President Ali continued. “This is not a burden on taxpayers, but a commitment to tomorrow’s leaders. It is an investment in a brighter, more prosperous future.”
Dr. Vindhya Persaud, the Minister of Human Services and Social Security, delivered the opening remarks, highlighting the broad impact of the programme across Guyana. She noted that the newborn cash grant is just one part of a broader effort to support families throughout the different stages of life, whether through schoolchildren assistance, support for children with disabilities, or care for orphaned children.
“This initiative is part of our manifesto, and it is all about making life easier for parents and children across Guyana,” Dr. Persaud explained. “We are happy to be investing in the wellbeing of our youngest citizens, and we hope that fathers, grandmothers, and other family members will continue to support the mothers in this crucial phase of life.”
Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony also spoke about the government’s ongoing efforts to improve healthcare for mothers and children. He pointed to the improvements in health facilities, particularly in remote areas, and the establishment of new neonatal units in regional hospitals to better care for premature babies.
“We are making strategic investments in healthcare to ensure that mothers are well taken care of,” Dr. Anthony said. “From safe health facilities to better infrastructure for mothers in the interior, we are working hard to improve the quality of care.”
Looking ahead, the government plans to open six new hospitals this year, each featuring modern birthing suites and operating theatres to provide women with better care. The new specialty hospital at Ogle, East Coast Demerara, will also provide specialised services for women and children.
As of February 2025, over 2,000 babies have already been born in Guyana, and with the newborn cash grant set to cover an estimated 17,000 births this year, the government is on track to support an entire generation of children.
“This is a programme that speaks to our collective responsibility,” President Ali concluded. “The future of our children is something we must intentionally invest in. This cash grant is not a privilege—it is a right, and it is a right that every child in Guyana is entitled to.”
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