By Joy Odor
The Minister of Health for State and Social Welfare, Dr, Iziaq Adekunle Salako has on Wednesday affirmed that despite developing policies, strategies and implementing interventions to reduce neonatal deaths to 12 per 1,000 live births by 2030, unfortunately Nigeria still ranks top among the countries with a high burden of child mortality by contributing about 16% to the total global under-five deaths.
Dr. Salako gave the affirmation in his speech at the launched donation of over 400 Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), Vayu to 139 facilities by Health Technology and Christian Health Association of Nigeria (CHAN) with global partners such as the Nigeria Society of Neonatal Medicine (NISONM), WHO, UNICEF, USAID, USAID-MCGL, BMGF, NEST 360 and Clinton Foundation for the care of Neonates with Respiratory Distress Syndrome during the commemoration of World Prematurity Day, “Access to Quality Care Everywhere,” and Pneumonia Day celebration “Championing the Fight to Stop Pneumonia” in Abuja.
He informed that despite these efforts, the sad reality is that more than 1 of every 8 Nigerian children dies before their fifth birthday.
The Health Minister for State was of the opinion that the unfavorable indices and those of the other childhood killer diseases are the drivers of the unenviable high Under-Five Mortality of 110/1000 live births as reported by the 2023 NDHS.
According to him, going by the current annual level of reduction in childhood mortality rate, Nigeria may not meet the Sustainable Development Goals for reduction in child mortality by 2030 unless every proven intervention is adopted and implemented.
Dr. Salako mentioned that while the global health community is swiftly mobilizing and focusing attention against Malaria, Polio, Tuberculosis, and HIV, childhood pneumonia, termed the Forgotten Killer of the under-fives, has not received priority attention as an important contributor to global childhood morbidity and mortality.
The Health Boss lamented that while we celebrate the reduction in the overall Under-Five Mortality Rate, Nigeria is still way behind in reaching the global target for 2030 of 25/1000 live births, saying to maintain and increase this trajectory of downward movement, a lot of work is still required of all levels.
“Against this background, Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare will continue to nurture and strengthen the collaboration it has with the Every Breath Counts Coalition (a global coalition of over 100 organisations), the Pediatric Association of Nigeria and all stakeholders within the newborn and child survival space.
“This collaboration over the last five years has been very impactful with the development of tools like the In-Patient Pneumonia Treatment Algorithm which has not only strengthened the clinical skills of secondary and tertiary healthcare workers in managing severe and complicated pneumonia but to a great extent, contributed to the drop in Under-Five Mortality Rate from 132/ 1000 in 2018 to 110/1000 Live Births in 2023 as reported by the NDHS.
“Our esteemed guests, and valued members of the Nigerian Child Health Working Group, On behalf of the government of Nigeria, I extend a warm welcome to every one of you as we once again gather to celebrate the world pneumonia and prematurity day, uniting champions of newborn and child survival in our country and bringing 2 key health challenges of this important segment of our society to the fore. It is a profound privilege and honor for me to be part of this commemoration for 2024.
“Globally, about 100 million childhood pneumonia episodes with associated 808,920 related deaths occurs with low and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa being disproportionately affected and 15 countries, Nigeria inclusive accounting for about three-quarters of the global childhood pneumonia mortalities.
“We will continue to promote routine immunization, exclusive breastfeeding, hygiene practices, improved basic oxygen access in our hospitals, continuous training for our health workers and address the challenge of undernutrition. We will also continue to collaborate outside the health sector to address other drivers of prematurity and child pneumonia not within the full glare of the health sector.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the death of a child is a traumatic experience which places huge psychological and financial burden on the family.
“For us in the health care sector having about 700,000 children die annually before their 5th birthday due largely to preventable causes is a moral burden on all of us.
“Both highlight and underscores key inputs to reverse the trend and accelerate our movement in the right direction. Offering quality care for newborns and the under-fives as a fundamental aspect of our healthcare delivery system is an imperative.
“The Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and our Sector Wide Approach (SWAp) which all states of the federation and our partners have signed into offers us the template to take head-on the causes of preventable under-five deaths including prematurity and pneumonia.
“let me appreciate the Nigeria Society of Neonatal Medicine (NISONM), WHO, UNICEF, USAID, USAID-MCGL, BMGF, NEST 360 and the Clinton Foundation for the support, technical guidance, and unwavering commitment to health sector development in Nigeria. Your dedication continues to make Nigeria a better place for every child” he noted.
Also in her address, the Permanent Secretary of the Minister, Daju Kachollom affirmed that the fight against pneumonia and prematurity would require concerted efforts from governments, healthcare providers, NGOs, advocates alike and demand share knowledge, and allocate resources effectively to build a future where children can breathe freely, flourish, and grow to realize their potential.
“Today, let us remember not only the statistics but also the faces of the children behind those numbers. Let us honor their struggles and their dreams. Let us pledge to do everything in our power to ensure that no family has to endure the heartbreak of losing a child to pneumonia or the challenges posed by premature birth.
“Together, we can turn the tide against these preventable tragedies. Together, we can create a world where every child has the chance to live, grow, and thrive” she assured.
In her contribution, the CHAI Organization said more than 1 in 8 children still die before their fifth birthday in Nigeria and current annual level of reduction in childhood mortality rate, the Nigeria will not meet the Sustainable Development Goals for reduction in child mortality by 2030 unless every proven intervention is adopted and implemented.
“Approximately, 100 million childhood pneumonia episodes with associated 808,920 related deaths occur globally. Low and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa are being disproportionately affected.
“Unfortunately, childhood pneumonia, being termed the Forgotten Killer of the under-fives, has not received priority attention as an important contributor to global childhood morbidity and mortality.
“As we continue the journey of actualizing the SDG target by 2030, let us reaffirm our shared mission and recognize that our strength lies in partnership and the ownership of solutions that resonate deeply within our health system.
“Together, we can shape a healthier future for every child across Nigeria” she said.
