The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has emphasised the importance of ensuring that hospitals, particularly Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs), have oxygen readily available for newborns who may need it.
UNICEF Health Manager for Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (MNCAH) and HIV, Martin Dohlsten made this call in an interview on Monday in Abuja.
According to him, 30 per cent of infant mortality in Nigeria is caused by delivery problems, with 50 per cent of these deaths occurring on the first day and 75 per cent within the first week.
He also highlighted that neonatal deaths, which made up 32 per cent of under-five mortality, were largely caused by birth asphyxia, prematurity, and infections, conditions that were preventable with proper care.
Dohlsten explained that asphyxiated newborns often required oxygen to survive, as their lungs might be underdeveloped.
He stressed the importance of having oxygen readily available in hospitals, and that it should be administered in a controlled, regulated manner to avoid harming the baby.
He further noted that Nigeria ranked second in under-five mortality, and to meet the SDG 3.2 target by 2030, the country must accelerate efforts to reduce mortality rates.
Dohlsten also attributed many newborn deaths to lack of essential resources such as electricity, running water, skilled care providers, and neonatal resuscitation equipment.
He emphasised that investment in maternal, newborn, and child health was crucial for improving outcomes and ensuring equitable access to quality care.
“UNICEF has supported the installation of nine Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) oxygen plants in nine states and the establishment of level-2 newborn units in Kaduna, Oyo, Kano, Rivers, Sokoto, and Bauchi states.
“These plants have been handed over to the states with ongoing support for capacity building and sustainability.”
NAN
