As part of activities to commemorate this year’s World Prematurity Day, a non-governmental organization, March Health Care Initiatives (MCI) has called on the government, healthcare professionals, traditional and religious leaders, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and others to pay attention to the heavy burden of preterm birth deaths with a view to ending the negative trend.
The theme for 2020 World Prematurity Day is “Together for babies born too soon— Caring for the future”.
Babies born too soon are referred to babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy, before the full pregnancy cycle is completed.
According to UNICEF, preterm birth complications are the leading cause of death for children under five, causing an estimated one million deaths in 2015 globally.
An estimated 15 million babies are born preterm every year, more than one in 10 babies around the world and 31% preterm birth complications in Nigeria.
Speaking at an event in Ilorin, organised by the March Health Care Initiatives, Kwara state government, Smile Train amongst others to mark the 2020 World Prematurity Day, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) MCI, Comrade Bunmi Aiyedu-Lawal, said the organisation is galvanising efforts to ensure a Nigeria in which there are no preventable deaths of newborns and stillbirths.
To achieve the aim, Aiyedu-Lawal said MCI is providing support to government and relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the attainment of universal health coverage in the spirit of leaving no child behind.
“The world will not achieve SDG 3 (to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages) unless care for every newborn is transformed. This must include the most vulnerable the small and sick newborn.
“To achieve the SDG target to end preventable newborn deaths, MCI is committed to reducing neonatal mortality to at least 50%. In May 16th, 2019, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency declared a state of emergency for Maternal, Newborn and Child’s Health in Nigeria, resulting to the launch of the National Emergency Maternal and Child Health Intervention Centre (NEMCHIC) with the goal of reducing maternal and child deaths by 50% by 2021,” he said.
Highpoint of the day was the appointment of Smile Train Programme Director for West and Central Africa, Mrs Nkeiruka Obi, and wife of the Senator representing Kwara South Senatorial District, Alhaja Rukayat Ashiru, as Nigerian newborn Ambassadors.
