Wellbeing Foundation, Reckitt, Others Partner To Improve Health Challenges In Nigeria

The Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), in partnership with Reckitt, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, NEST360, SCIDaR, the Lagos State Ministry of Health, and various private and public healthcare facilities, has officially launched Project Oscar – Light for Life.

This initiative focuses on neonatal jaundice screening, treatment, and kernicterus prevention across Nigeria.

The launch which took place December 3, 2024, in Lagos, coincided with the International Day of Persons with Disability.

Attendees include government officials and departments, special advisers, global health experts, NGOs, and representatives from various ministries. The event brings together a wide array of stakeholders committed to improving neonatal care and tackling the challenges of neonatal jaundice in Nigeria.

Project Oscar – Light for Life aims to address the urgent challenges surrounding neonatal jaundice (NNJ) in Nigeria, a condition affecting approximately 60% of term neonates and up to 100% of preterm infants. NNJ remains a leading cause of preventable brain damage, including conditions like kernicterus and cerebral palsy, despite the availability of effective and affordable treatments. Challenges such as inadequate diagnostic tools, unreliable phototherapy equipment, and widespread misconceptions about the condition continue to hinder proper management.

Project Oscar – Light For Life seeks to close these gaps by providing healthcare facilities with essential tools, such as phototherapy units and bilirubinometers, ensuring accurate diagnoses and timely treatment. The program also includes training for healthcare professionals on recognizing and managing NNJ and raising awareness among mothers and families to dispel common myths. Originally launched in Vietnam in 2019 by young disability activist Oscar Anderson MBE, the program is now expanding to Nigeria as part of a broader effort to reduce neonatal mortality and prevent lifelong disabilities. This initiative aligns with global health priorities and seeks collaboration with international bodies, including the World Health Organization (WHO), to integrate NNJ management into global neonatal care policies and guidelines.

The launch of Project Oscar coincides with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, reinforcing this year’s theme: “Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future.”

This theme highlights the important role of persons with disabilities in fostering a more inclusive world. Global disability activist Oscar Anderson leads and attends the launch. This project exists because of Oscar’s advocacy and Reckitt’s support.

Her Excellency Toyin Saraki, Founder and President of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, remarked, “Today, we celebrate the leadership of Oscar Anderson MBE, who joins us with his parents, Charles and Sarah. His advocacy and lived experience have been the driving force behind this program and the Light for Life campaign.

Oscar’s journey is a testament to how personal challenges can inspire meaningful global solutions, solutions that save lives and prevent disabilities.”

Akbar Ali Shah, Chief Executive Officer of Reckitt Sub-Saharan Africa, said, “Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in our mission to improve health outcomes in Nigeria.

With the launch of Project Oscar, we are tackling a silent yet devastating challenge: neonatal jaundice. This preventable condition continues to endanger the lives of millions of newborns globally and is the eighth leading cause of death among newborns in Sub-Saharan Africa, with Nigeria ranking among the countries most affected by NNJ.

At Reckitt, we believe collaboration is the cornerstone of impactful change, which is why we are proud to partner with governments, development organizations, and healthcare systems to make life-saving interventions sustainable and accessible.”

Oscar Anderson MBE, One Young World Champion, and Disability Activist, expressed his excitement: “I am so pleased and proud to be here today to launch the next chapter of this project so we can help even more babies. The work doesn’t stop until every baby is protected against neonatal jaundice. Newborns must get this life-changing blue-light treatment immediately. Where there is no access, it fuels resentment, anger, and frustration. That’s why Project Oscar is especially relevant for mums and their newborns.”

Professor Chinyere Ezeaka, Head of Pediatrics at the College of Medicine, LUTH, added, “Zero tolerance to neonatal jaundice & kernicterus in Lagos state. A baby can be born with neonatal jaundice, but no baby should be allowed to develop kernicterus.”