Khadijah Aliyu
The United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF west and central regional office in collaboration with the African media network for the promotion of health and environment REMAPSEN has organized a webiner for journalists.
The webiner themed: Maternal, Neonatal and child Health in West and Central Africa witnessed large turn out of REMAPSEN members from over 40 countries.
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The UNICEF Health Specialist West and Central Africa Regional Office, Dr. Tomomi Kitamura, urged governments to prioritize lifesaving interventions for mothers, newborns and children, noting that early action could significantly improve child health outcomes.
In her presentation titled essential care for newborns, the President of the Association of Francophone Black African Paediatricians, Prof. Mariam Sylla, emphasized on safer neonatal practices, advising families to avoid the use of harmful substances on newborns, particularly on the umbilical cord.
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“Using salt or any unapproved substance on the umbilical cord is dangerous. Only antiseptics recommended at authorised health facilities should be used. Such harmful practices must stop,”
The, Vice President of the African Neonatal Association, Prof. Faye Moctar, identified poverty, limited access to healthcare and deeply rooted traditional beliefs as some of the key issues endangering newborn survival in the region, especially in Nigeria and Senegal.
“There are a lot of challenges, particularly in Nigeria and my country, Senegal. These challenges, ranging from economic hardship, harmful cultural practices to reliance on traditional birth attendants, pose serious threats to the health and survival of newborns,”
Focusing on care for sick and low birthweight babies, he stressed that addressing these problems requires urgent intervention a
and stronger investment in maternal and neonatal care systems.
The experts agreed that improving newborn survival in the region would require a coordinated approach involving health policy reform, community education, better access to facilities and sustained advocacy against harmful traditions.
The medical experts expressed growing concern over the increasing threats to newborn and child health in Nigeria and across parts of West Africa, citing socio-economic and cultural challenges that continue to undermine survival rates.