Cochrane Nigeria’s Post

Each year, over 13 million babies are born too soon and prematurity is a leading cause of death among under-five children. Thus, the 17th day of November every year is set aside to commemorate World Prematurity Day and raise awareness on the burden and challenges of prematurity. This year, the theme for the World Prematurity Day celebration is, “...*Access to Quality Care Everywhere*” which focuses on promoting access to quality care everywhere for Small and Sick Newborns (SSNBs), especially, premature infants to improve their outcomes. To mark World Prematurity Day 2024, the Nigerian Society of Neonatal Medicine (NISONM) in conjunction with the Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN) is carrying out targeted activities to champion the cause of these vulnerable preemies, including advocacy, health education on radio, TV and social media handles and nationwide capacity building on Essential Newborn Care 1 (Helping Babies Breathe) for key health care providers who will also be equipped with resuscitation bags and masks, penguin suction devices and action plans that will enable the translation of the skills acquired into practice in order to improve the quality of neonatal care and outcomes. So join NISONM and PAN to make a difference and promote access to quality care for preemies everywhere….. #worldprematurityday2024 #accesstoqualitycareeverywhere #paediatricassociationofnigeria

Raising Awareness on Iron Deficiency Anaemia in Africa Iron deficiency anaemia affects nearly 50% of children and 40% of women in Sub-Saharan Africa, significantly contributing to maternal and child mortality. On Iron Deficiency Day, 26th November 2024, we took meaningful steps to tackle this critical public health challenge. Across Central Africa we conducted a number of training and awareness events including Continuing Medical Educational (CME) session for midwives and doctors, empowering them with tools to address iron deficiency in maternal health. Also In DRC and Kenya we also held anaemia detection camps, screening over 1,300 patients, including nearly 700 pregnant women. And conducted 50 antenatal care camps to support maternal health. And across Africa we partnered with doctors to distribute 1,200+ personalized anaemia awareness videos. We are steadfast in our mission to empower healthcare professionals and build healthier, stronger communities across Africa. Together, we can create a future where iron deficiency and anaemia no longer hinder progress. #ShalinaHealthcare #IronDeficiencyDay #AnaemiaAwareness #MidwivesMatter #CommunityHealth #AfricaHealth #HealthcareForAll #40YearsOfTrust

“Seven months ago, my wife gave birth to twin boys.” says Kalimow Mohamed Nur, a father whose twins are under treatment at the Bay Regional hospital, a Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) supported hospital in Baidoa, the capital city of Bay region, Somalia. Kalimow recounts the harrowing experience of his wife’s delivery, where she suffered from excessive bleeding. "I had no money to take her to the hospital, and our village doesn’t have a free health facility." he explains as he shares his story with me. Kalimow embarked on a grueling 300-kilometer journey to reach the nearest hospital, desperate to find the healthcare they needed. Women and children face arduous journeys of hundreds of kilometres to reach medical facilities, often hindered by pervasive insecurity that causes critical delays, worsening health conditions and, tragically, sometimes leading to death. Those who can afford it risk encountering violence and pay substantial sums for transport to access the few fully functioning health facilities. Since 2018, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has been supporting the Bay Regional hospital in Baidoa, providing a range of medical services to improve maternal and child health and respond to disease outbreaks. We provide comprehensive emergency obstetric and neonatal care, ensuring safe births and offering both inpatient and outpatient care for pregnant women and their newborns. The challenges in accessing healthcare for women and children in Baidoa are multifaceted, involving security, economics, culture, as well as infrastructural barriers. While the efforts of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and other organizations have significantly improved healthcare access and outcomes, continuous support and enhancement of these programs are essential. 📽 Mohamed Ali

Pulse oximeters play a vital role by enabling the early detection of low oxygen levels, and respiratory distress in newborns and children. This #WorldPneumoniaDay read our latest blog to learn about how Save the Children US’s USAID-funded Kulawa Project, in partnership with the Nigerien government, is using this simple yet indispensable device to prevent child deaths in remote locations in Niger. https://ow.ly/rZvX50U4zPL

Progress in maternal and newborn health has plateaued over the past decade. In 2020, 202,000 mothers died in childbirth in sub-Saharan Africa alone. These deaths are preventable with lifesaving innovations that already exist. As an MNCH advocate, Esther Nasikye of PATH knows firsthand "what is possible when there is the political will and investment to do so." She shares 4️⃣ themes central to strengthening MNCH progress and advocacy, particularly in Africa, in a new blog post: https://lnkd.in/eh7YAuK2 #MaternalHealth #NewbornHealth #MNHMovementMaker

Today, the world comes together to recognize World Prematurity Day (WPD), a day dedicated to raising awareness about the challenges faced by prematurely born infants. This year’s theme, “Over 13 million babies born prematurely every year. Access to quality care everywhere!”, underscores the urgent need to address global disparities in healthcare by ensuring all preterm babies receive high-quality care, no matter where they are born. Preterm birth remains the leading cause of death among children under five. Many survivors face lifelong disabilities due to insufficient healthcare. Each year, an estimated 13.4 million babies are born prematurely worldwide. In Viet Nam, premature births account for approximately 45% of all child mortality cases. The 2024 theme calls for immediate action to bridge the healthcare gap and advocates for improved maternal and neonatal care to save lives and improve outcomes for families everywhere. #prematurity #nicu #babies #ewpcn #worldprematurityday

Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rate of under 5 infant mortality in the world. Much of this is attributed to the lack of adequate pediatric health services in the region. African Children’s Healthcare Fund was founded for that reason. Learn more on AFRCHF.org. https://lnkd.in/eHAnRbsY

Are you familiar with the signs and symptoms of sepsis? Your awareness could potentially help save a child's life. As I reflect on my own survival from sepsis six months ago, the importance of sepsis awareness hits home, especially during Paediatric Sepsis Awareness Week. Devastatingly, in Australia, around 50 children tragically lose their lives to sepsis each year. Children with sepsis can deteriorate rapidly, emphasising the critical need for early detection and treatment. Learn the signs, spread awareness, save lives. 🚨💔 More info 👉🏻 https://bit.ly/49McRg4 and here: https://bit.ly/3UaC9id #Survivor #PediatricSepsisAwareness #ActNow Sepsis Alliance Global Sepsis Alliance Queensland Health Monash University Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH)

In recent years, maternal mortality and morbidity have stagnated or worsened in most regions of the globe. Adolescents, people living in poverty and in fragile, conflict and climate-affected settings are disproportionately affected. No matter where someone lives, everyone has the right to respectful, quality, safe, and comprehensive maternal health care. Increased leadership, sustained resourcing of health systems, and globally coordinated and sustained investment in health workforces, especially midwives, are needed. Abt is partnering with communities, Governments, and other partners to strengthen health systems and support the delivery of lifesaving healthcare services. Including through: • Improving quality and coverage of care, including respectful maternity care • Contributing to improving access to maternal and newborn health commodities • Training health care professionals to provide inclusive, high-quality services, such as preventing and treating childbirth complications and malaria control and treatment • Strengthening health policy and systems and addressing knowledge gaps Expanding private health services for Benin’s women and children 👇 https://lnkd.in/e9D_7cs7 Delivering high quality maternal and child health in Mali 👇 https://lnkd.in/ez-muXuH Increasing access to high quality maternal, child health, and nutrition services while enhancing institutional capacity to manage health and nutrition programs: Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies 👇 https://lnkd.in/eCzwCNa2 #MNH #MaternalHealth #WomensRights

Exclusive breastfeeding has been widely recognized as a powerful tool for ensuring optimal health and development in infants. In Nigeria, where malnutrition remains a significant public health challenge, exclusive breastfeeding can make a transformative impact on child survival and long-term health outcomes. The Civil Society-Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) is at the forefront of this critical health intervention, advocating for policies, enabling environments and fostering community awareness. We invite you to dive into this article on the promising impacts of Exclusive Breastfeeding and the tangible results of CS-SUNN’s initiatives towards improving Exclusive Breastfeeding outcomes in Nigeria. Click https://lnkd.in/ewjPpW_f read and share...