FCTA Moves to Tackle Alarming Newborn Mortality Rates

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing the high rate of neonatal mortality in the FCT, a situation largely attributed to preventable diseases.

Speaking at the commissioning of the Newborn Essential Solutions and Technologies (NEST360) equipment donated to Wuse General Hospital in Abuja, the Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Adedolapo Fasawe, emphasized the urgency of addressing the issue.

Citing the 2023/2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, Fasawe revealed that over 281,000 newborn deaths are recorded annually in Nigeria, translating to a neonatal mortality rate of 41 deaths per 1,000 live births. This statistic places Nigeria among the countries with the highest neonatal mortality rates globally.

The NEST360 donation, implemented by APIN Public Health Initiatives, includes advanced neonatal care equipment such as radiant warmers, oxygen concentrators, CPAP machines, and phototherapy units, aimed at significantly enhancing care for newborns.

Fasawe, represented by the Acting Director General of the FCT Hospital Management Board, Dr. Olugbenga Bello, stated:

“Inadequate access to life-saving equipment, insufficiently trained healthcare workers, and poorly managed complications continue to claim the lives of our youngest citizens. This intervention aligns with our vision for universal access to quality care for all FCT residents.”

He highlighted several FCTA initiatives to improve maternal, neonatal, and child healthcare, including:

• Scaling up emergency obstetric and newborn care services.
• Offering free health insurance for pregnant women and vulnerable children.
• Renovating maternity and child emergency wards.

The Medical Director of Wuse General Hospital, Dr. Oluseyi Ashaolu Opeyemi, expressed gratitude, emphasizing that the initiative empowers the hospital to handle critical cases, particularly for premature and severely ill newborns.

“This initiative places us in a vantage position to provide comprehensive care, from birth to 28 days, preventing complications and improving outcomes for newborns,” Opeyemi noted.

NEST360 Country Director, Opeyemi Odedere, underscored the program’s long-term vision:

“Beyond providing equipment, we’re investing in comprehensive training for health workers and engineers to ensure the effective use and maintenance of these technologies. We are committed to tracking progress and using data to guide our interventions.”

Since its inception, NEST360 has trained over 700 clinicians and biomedical engineers nationwide and established five clinical and technical skills laboratories. In addition to Wuse General Hospital, similar interventions have been implemented in hospitals in Asokoro, Bwari, Nyanya, and 13 other health facilities across the country.

This partnership between the FCTA and NEST360 is a critical step in reducing neonatal mortality, ensuring every newborn has access to quality care from birth.