Obaseki raises alarm over high neonatal mortality rate
Mrs Obaseki presenting certificate to one of the graduands
Published By: Paul Dada
By Jethro Ibileke
Wife of Edo state Governor, Mrs Betsy Obaseki, has raised the alarm over Nigeria’s burden of high neonatal mortality rate.
She expressed her concern on Thursday at the graduation of 48 healthcare professionals from the Essential Newborn Care Course (ENCC) and the launching of “Make No Pikin Die” (Let No Child Die) project across the state.
The initiative is focused on reducing neonatal mortality rates and improving newborn care practices.
According to the Edo First Lady, “Nigeria bears the second highest burden of newborn deaths globally. This is a significant issue that demands national attention.
“Seeing our country rank poorly in such statistics is concerning, and it’s a problem we must address urgently. When I heard about this and being a woman, I thought it is a project that I should take on.”
The 48 healthcare professionals who were selected from primary, secondary, and tertiary health institutions across the 18 local government areas of the state, graduated after completing a rigorous training aimed at enhancing neonatal care.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting this initiative and expanding the training to reach the grassroots.
Obaseki who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barr Osarodion Ogie, said: “We pledge that under this administration, and the next, no child will die needlessly in Edo State.”
Earlier in her remarks, one of the facilitators, Prof. Angela Okolo, underscored the importance of having the bulk of trainees from among health workers in the primary health facilities.
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Okolo who noted that Edo is the first state in Nigeria to implement this training since its introduction in 2013, lauded the state government and the Governor’s wife for their pioneering efforts, thereby setting a benchmark for other states.
She said: “While 90% of babies should be born in health facilities, less than 50% currently benefit from these. This contributes to high neonatal mortality rates. Targeting the primary healthcare system is essential.”
Also speaking, Professor Kenechukwu Illoh, noted: “Unlike other [states] waiting for external assistance, Edo has taken decisive action through the office of the First Lady.”
Speaking after their graduation, a number of the trainees reflected on the importance and quality of the training.
Mrs. Benedicta Igbinedion said: “I attended this training to unlearn and to learn because many of our previous practices were incorrect, especially concerning newborn resuscitation.”
Dr. Bolajoko Kio-Umoru, another ENCC trainee, highlighted a critical take away from the training, saying: “We learned that the vernix caseosa, the whitish covering on newborns, should not be removed. Keeping it helps the baby stay warm.”
On her part, a nurse at Ugbor PHC, Mrs. Maria Esene, disclosed that a new practice was introduced at the training.
She said: “We learned to administer 0.5 Erythromycin to the baby immediately after birth, which is a significant change in our approach.”
With the graduation of these 48 ENCC trainers and the launch of the “Make No Pikin Die” project, Edo has made a bold stride in the fight against neonatal mortality, thereby setting a hopeful precedent for other regions to follow.
