‘Nigeria loses 280,000 newborns yearly’

The Executive Director of the Centre for Newborn Health Research and Innovation, Dr Olufunke Bolaji, has said the country continues to bear one of the highest newborn mortality burdens globally, with about 280,000 babies dying annually before they have a chance to live, grow and fulfil their potential.

Bolaji spoke on Friday in Ado Ekiti during the inauguration of the Centre for Newborn Health Research and Innovation at the University Teaching Hospital by Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji.

According to her, many of the deaths are preventable through improved healthcare interventions and stronger health systems.

“Annually in Nigeria, 280,000 babies die before they have had a real chance to live, grow and fulfil their potentials. What makes this burden even more painful is that many newborn deaths are preventable.

“With skilled birth attendants, timely resuscitation, quality essential newborn care, improved management of small and sick newborns, better referral systems, and stronger frontline capacity, many babies who are lost today can survive.

“CeNHRI was established to bridge the gap between evidence and practice, between research and policy and between clinical knowledge and life-saving action,” Bolaji said.

She added, “Every health system deserves quality evidence to improve, every health worker deserves innovative tools and skills to act effectively and every newborn deserves a chance to survive.”

The centre, said to be the first in the country focusing solely on newborn health, has the mandate to generate evidence, build clinical capacity, drive innovation and translate research into policy and practice for newborns.

In his remarks, Oyebanji described the facility as a major milestone in his administration’s effort to improve maternal and newborn healthcare delivery in the state and across the country.

The governor said thousands of African newborns die yearly from preventable causes, particularly within the first few days of life, adding that the centre represented a collective response to the challenge through science, innovation and collaboration.

He said the facility would serve as a meeting point for researchers, clinicians, policymakers, development partners and communities to work together and develop practical solutions that save lives.

The governor said the centre would also serve as a hub for cutting-edge research, innovation and clinical excellence aimed at addressing challenges associated with neonatal care and reducing infant mortality in the state and beyond.

He said, “Today marks another significant milestone in our collective efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery, advance scientific knowledge and improve the survival and well-being of mothers and newborns across Nigeria and the African continent.

“While this centre is located in Ado Ekiti, the capital of the state, its mission extends far beyond our borders. CeNHRI has been deliberately conceived as an African-focused institution that will generate knowledge, develop solutions, strengthen health systems and contribute meaningfully to a remarkable reduction in neonatal mortality across the continent,” he added.

Oyebanji expressed confidence that the centre would soon produce groundbreaking research, train future generations of healthcare professionals and influence healthcare policies.

He said the facility reflected his government’s commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and reducing neonatal mortality.

“The centre will serve as a platform for innovation, research, capacity building and evidence-based healthcare intervention aimed at improving the survival and well-being of mothers and newborns,” he said.

Speaking earlier, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Ali Pate, described the facility as a bold step towards strengthening healthcare delivery and improving outcomes for mothers and newborns in Nigeria.

Represented by Dr Samuel Oyeniyi, Pate said, “The establishment of the centre reflects the growing recognition that Nigeria must not only consume global health knowledge, we must produce it.

“The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is particularly encouraged by the centre’s focus on implementation science, digital innovations, capacity building and policy translation. These are the pillars required to strengthen primary healthcare and acceleration. This is a critical project towards universal health coverage.”

Also, the Ekiti State Commissioner for Health and Human Service, Dr Oyebanji Filani, hailed the governor for his commitment to strengthening the state’s healthcare system through strategic investment in infrastructure, research and human capital development.

Filani, who is CeNHRI board chairman, said the centre would not only enhance clinical practice and training but would also contribute significantly to reducing neonatal mortality and improving overall health outcomes.

The World Health Organisation representative, Dr Mary Brantuo, said WHO guidelines emphasised that essential newborn care, including immediate care at birth, neonatal resuscitation, thermal care, infection prevention and early initiation of breastfeeding, could prevent the majority of newborn deaths when delivered with quality.

She added that the centre would help ensure healthcare providers are equipped to deliver life-saving interventions consistently and effectively.

“The establishment of this centre sends a clear message that Ekiti State is committed to advancing newborn health through evidence, innovation and quality care,” Brantuo said. (Punch)