Healthcare workers in Lagos State, Nigeria, are set to be trained by medical experts to combat neonatal jaundice.
Speaking on behalf of the implementing partners of the training programme, Dr. Daniel Adeniyi of the Solina Centre for International Development and Research (SCIDaR) said that the initiative also aims to screen over 9,000 newborns and educate 10,000 mothers within 18 months through the Neonatal Jaundice Screening, Treatment, and Kernicterus Prevention Programme — Project Oscar: Light for Life, which was launched in December 2024.
He said that the implementing partners of the initiative are Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), Reckitt, Newborn Essential Solutions and Technology (NEST360), and SCIDaR.
The medical expert also said that the first batch of the training will be followed by a second batch and a step-down training led by those already trained.
Dr. Adeniyi said that the project, funded by Reckitt as part of its commitment to improving maternal and neonatal health, reflects a shared vision for early intervention and disability prevention. “Inspired by Oscar Anderson MBE, a disability advocate, the project emphasizes the critical importance of early screening and treatment to prevent lifelong disabilities caused by neonatal jaundice.”
He underscored the programme’s significance, saying, “Our goal with Project Oscar is to ensure no baby suffers from kernicterus. By training healthcare workers to recognize and treat jaundice promptly, we aim to prevent permanent brain damage.”
He also said that the week-long sessions targeted tertiary, secondary, and primary healthcare workers, offering hands-on practical learning to strengthen their capacity. NEST360 trained 24 healthcare workers in tertiary and secondary hospitals through the “Neonatal Management and Comprehensive Newborn Care Training,” while SCIDaR trained 34 workers in primary healthcare centres, enhancing early recognition and treatment of neonatal jaundice.
The course director, Dr. Olatunji Tolulope, highlighted the comprehensive nature of the training, saying, “The course is all-encompassing. Today, we focused on the ‘Helping Babies Breathe’ module, along with training on neonatal jaundice as part of Project Oscar. It is vital because only babies who survive are at risk of developing jaundice. Ensuring babies are born and breathing is the essence of this training.”
He also pointed out the value of practical learning, saying, “Theory is different from practice. Hands-on experience, including working with mannequins, ensures that skills stick and are easier to apply in real-life situations.”
At one of the training centres in Ikeja, Neonatologist and Associate Professor of Paediatrics at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Dr. Iretiola Fajolu, emphasized that early recognition and timely intervention are crucial in preventing brain damage from jaundice.
She explained that the course covers various aspects, from preparing for birth, assisting the baby in breathing, initiating early breastfeeding, and preventing infections to identifying and treating jaundice using appropriate equipment.
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Healthcare workers who return to their facilities are encouraged to mentor others and develop action plans to ensure continuous training, ultimately reducing neonatal mortality in Lagos and Nigeria.
Also speaking, the Country Director for NEST360, Dr. Opeyemi Odedere, who expressed excitement at collaborating with partners like WBFA, highlighted the importance of partnerships and the unique advantages each partner brings.
Mr. Williams Awotunde, WBFA’s Director of Programmes, explained the broader vision behind the initiative: “We have teamed up with Reckitt to reduce the incidence and complications of neonatal jaundice in Nigeria, starting with Lagos State. Strengthening the capacity of frontline healthcare workers is essential to improving maternal, child, and neonatal health outcomes.”
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