From Atiku Sarki, Abuja
In an effort to raise awareness about the importance of immunization and address the growing challenges of zero-dose children in Nigeria, particularly in Cross River State, the Child Rights Information Bureau (CRIB) of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, in collaboration with UNICEF, recently organized a two-day media dialogue.
The event brought together journalists and other stakeholders from across the country.
Held at the Metropolitan Hotel in Calabar, Cross River State, between December 4-6, 2024, the dialogue aimed to educate the media and the public on life-saving interventions for sick newborns, with a focus on the importance of oxygen for newborns facing respiratory distress and other severe conditions.
The event also highlighted the socio-economic, cultural, and logistical barriers to immunization.
The dialogue fostered discussions on strategies and best practices that media, healthcare professionals, and policymakers can adopt to support oxygen accessibility and increase immunization coverage for vulnerable children.
Additionally, it sought to encourage media practitioners to actively advocate for improved health resources and community engagement in support of sick newborns and unvaccinated children.
Martin Dohlster, UNICEF’s Health Manager, presented on maternal and newborn health disparities in Nigeria, sharing key facts and figures.
He reported that the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in Nigeria showed no reduction between 1990 and 2015. In 2015, Nigeria saw the birth of 7.1 million babies, with approximately 19,500 born each day to young women aged 20-24, 29% of whom gave birth at the age of 18.
Tragically, about 660 babies die each day before reaching their first month, with 838 stillbirths occurring daily.
Dohlster also pointed out that Nigeria’s neonatal mortality rate (NMR) is 34 deaths per 1,000 live births, with rural areas experiencing 44 deaths per 1,000 births, compared to 34 deaths in urban areas.
He explained that the neonatal mortality rate in the poorest households is 45 deaths per 1,000 live births, compared to 30 deaths per 1,000 live births among the wealthiest households.
The main causes of neonatal death in 2015 included prematurity, birth asphyxia, and sepsis.
On maternal and newborn health coverage, Dohlster noted that in rural areas, only 38% of women made at least four antenatal care (ANC) visits, compared to 75% in urban areas.
Additionally, only 8% of newborns in rural areas received postnatal care (PNC) within two days after birth, compared to 25% in urban areas.
He also highlighted disparities in ANC and skilled birth attendance: 86% of mothers in the richest households made at least four ANC visits, compared to only 18% of mothers from the poorest households.
Similarly, only 6% of mothers in the poorest households had a skilled attendant at birth, compared to 85% of mothers in the richest households.
Dohlster also emphasized the role of maternal education in improving health outcomes.
He observed that 80% of mothers with higher education made at least four ANC visits, compared to only 28% of mothers with no education.
Geographically, the southwest region of Nigeria had the highest ANC coverage (87%), while the northwest had the lowest (30%).
The southwest also had the highest coverage for skilled birth attendance (83%) and PNC for newborns (38%), while the northwest had the lowest (12% for skilled birth attendance and 6% for PNC).
Earlier, in her remarks, UNICEF’s Communication Officer, Safiya Akou, explained the objectives of the dialogue and the reasons for choosing Cross River State as the venue.
She noted that Cross River has one of the highest numbers of zero-dose newborns in the country.
The dialogue aimed not only to equip participants with valuable knowledge but also to organize field trips to observe sick newborns and zero-dose children in various parts of the state.
The media dialogue featured several other presenters, including Adenonke Akinola Akinole, Social and Behavior Change Strategy Specialist at UNICEF, Dr. Olusoji Akinleye, Head Specialist at UNICEF, and Safiya Akou. The first day of the event included visits to health facilities, such as the State General Hospital, the Teaching Hospital, and several primary healthcare centers in Cross River State.
At the oxygen gas plant facility at the General Hospital in Calabar, Dr. Kenneth Takim, the Medical Superintendent and Medical Director, commended UNICEF and its partners for their support in addressing health challenges in the state.
He emphasized the significant impact of the oxygen plant, which has the capacity to produce 300 meters per minute of oxygen, making it the largest such facility in both Cross River and other parts of the country.
He expressed confidence that the plant would reduce infant and maternal mortality related to oxygen deficiency.
“The impact of this intervention cannot be underestimated. It has significantly helped reduce infant and maternal mortality linked to oxygen illness in the state,” Dr. Takim stated.
He also noted that the hospital is working towards decentralizing oxygen distribution by creating additional centers where patients can pick up oxygen supplies.
Dr. Vivien Otu, the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, also expressed her appreciation for UNICEF’s continued support, particularly in children’s vaccination, the zero-dose campaign, and addressing maternal mortality.
She revealed that the state had achieved 80% vaccination coverage and assured the public that efforts would be made to identify and address zero-dose cases in the state. Dr. Otu also called on UNICEF to continue supporting Cross River to strengthen the state’s healthcare system.
Other locations visited included the Ekpo Abasi Primary Care Center, the Calabar Southward 12, the Basic Health Provision Fund (BHCPF) Primary Health Center in Akimbo East/Ikot Offiong Ambai ward, and the State Teaching Hospital in Calabar.