Lagos, UNICEF  To Curb Newborn Deaths

The Lagos state government, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has launched the State’s Every Newborn Action Plan, as part of efforts to reduce the high rate of newborn deaths in the state.

Available statistics showed that over seven million babies are born yearly in Nigeria. Out of those figures, an estimated 240,000 die during their first month of life and 94,000 at birth.

It was also revealed that Lagos state has the second largest neonatal mortality rate in southwest Nigeria, with 35 per 1000 live births.

The permanent secretary, Lagos state Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, at the launch and dissemination of the Lagos State Every Newborn Action Plan Document, on Tuesday, in Lagos, disclosed that the action plan contains the strategy of the state government to accelerate progress towards achieving the reduction of preventable newborn deaths and still births.

Ogboye averred that the plan is aimed at not only fast tracking progress but scaling up evidence based and cost effective interventions that will serve as a concerted effort towards translating Global, National and State commitments into a meaningful change for newborns, while improving coverage targets in line with the global timeline for year 2030.

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The chief of Field Office, UNICEF Lagos, Celine Lafoucriere, said Lagos state has the second largest neonatal mortality rate in southwest Nigeria, with 35 per 1000 live births, adding that, “What is sad about this is that the vast majority of the deaths are entirely preventable.

‘’Healthy women and children are the backbone of a healthy and productive society, and maternal and newborn health is critical for achieving universal health coverage,” Lafoucriere said.