HomeFeaturesNPHCDA: Nigeria Loses 2,300 Children, 145 Women Each Day

NPHCDA: Nigeria Loses 2,300 Children, 145 Women Each Day

Listen to article

Dr. Muyi Aina, Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, brought attention to the continued public health crisis, stating that too many women are still dying from pregnancy and childbirth complications, while preventable diseases are robbing far too many children of their chance to reach their fifth birthday.

On Monday in Abuja, Dr. Muyi Aina voiced his concerns at a two-day engagement meeting aimed at addressing vaccination and maternal and child health.

The event, hosted by the Sultan Foundation for Peace and Development with backing from NPHCDA, brought religious leaders from northern Nigeria together to explore solutions for improving health outcomes for mothers and children.

Dr. Muyi Aina, head of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, disclosed that Nigeria has identified 70 cases of the circulating variant of poliovirus type 2. These cases have been traced to 46 Local Government Areas spread across 14 states in the northern region of the country.

“Every day, Nigeria loses about 2,300 under five years old children and 145 women of childbearing age. Most of these deaths are occurring in northern Nigeria.

“Also, Nigeria is currently witnessing intense transmission of the circulating variant poliovirus type 2, with a total of 70 cVPV2 from 46 LGAs across 14 Northern states. This is an indication of continuous transmission of the virus due to low routine immunisation, and refusal of vaccines during polio campaigns.

“This must change. We must ensure that every woman has access to antenatal care, that every pregnancy is delivered by trained and skilled midwives, and that every child completes their routine Immunisation according to the National schedule and get vaccinated every time vaccination teams visit their homes. Together, we must work to create a system that ensures no mother or child is left behind.”

Aina emphasized the need for religious leaders to reinvigorate their efforts toward community health, urging them to use their positions of influence to champion better healthcare practices and policies for the benefit of their followers.

“We must focus on breaking down barriers to care, ensuring equitable access to services, and building trust between healthcare providers and the communities they serve. Our collective efforts can create an environment where every Nigerian child is immunised and every Nigerian mother receives the care she deserves.

Read also: WHO Estimates 2.6 Million Alcohol-Related Deaths Yearly

“In conclusion, I would like to once again thank His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and His Eminence, Most Reverend Daniel Okoh, for always mobilising traditional and religious leaders to support immunization and other Primary Health Care programmes. I also want to thank the Sultan Foundation and other partners for your unwavering support and dedication to improving health outcomes in Nigeria,” he said.

Dr. Walter Mulombo, the WHO Country Representative, noted in his goodwill statement that building partnerships is a crucial strategy for attaining the comprehensive goal of universal health coverage.

 

 

He said, “This partnership is also aligned to the primary healthcare approach, the bedrock of Nigeria’s Health Policy, and a whole-of-society approach to health that aims to ensure the highest possible level of health and well-being, equitably distributed across all communities.”

On his part, the Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar, stressed the need for religious leaders to promote development, peace, and security.

According to him, health and security are essential to Nigeria’s development.

“The Sultan Foundation’s work exemplifies the power of collaboration. Established to promote sustainable development and social cohesion, the foundation has made significant strides in addressing health, education, and economic empowerment.

The Eastern Updates 

Most Popular

Recent Comments