Nigeria is 3rd largest contributor to 15million babies born annually with an estimated 871,000 pre-term.
Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole disclosed this yesterday. He spoke during the commemoration of the World Prematurity and Pneumonia Day. To save newborns, the Federal Ministry of Health also launched three policy documents relating to their wellbeing.
These are: Nigeria Every Newborn Action Plan, essential Newborn Care training package and National Chlorhexidine Scale up Strategy document.
Adewole revealed babies born too soon have a higher risk of death thirteen times higher than babies born at term. He also disclosed one of every three newborn deaths is attributable to complications of prematurity.
Those who survive, according to him, may face lifelong disabilities, including learning, visual and hearing problems with the quality of their lives greatly affected.
The minister however said recent survey has shown reduction in under-five mortality rates from 157/1000 lives births in 2008 to 128/1000 in 2013.
To tackle prematurity issues, the minister said: “It is important to promote essential care during childbirth and in the postnatal period for every mother and baby, including antenatal corticosteroids.
Credit: the nation