World Prematurity Day: Expert identifies causes of premature babies’ deaths

A consultant neonatologist, Dr Patricia Medupin, has identified lack of basic health infrastructure, supplies of drugs and cultural barriers as the major identifiable causes of high death rate of premature babies in Nigeria.

She however advocated inclusion and of provision of care for premature babies into the nations National Health Policy as a bold step that could reduce deaths of maternal newborn.

Medupin, the guest speaker at a sensitisation program organised by Tiny Beating Hearts, to mark this years world prematurity day, said this on Saturday at the event held at the glass house, Government House, Lokoja, Kogi state capital.

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She said there was the need for government at various levels to demonstrate enough political will to tackle the health challenges of newborns in the country.

Speaking on the theme, “Working together: Partnering with families in the care of small and sick newborn”, she lamented that lack of political will on the part of government to bringing the issues of babies born prematurely had been posing challenges to the survival of the children.

She also said equipping health facilities with the right facilities, cultural and attitudinal problem were some other factors leading to the death of babies born prematurely.

The consultant neonatologist however noted that the trend could change with the collective support of all stakeholders, disclosing that the health givers, parents and immediate families of the affected, and a change in attitude by the society to babies born prematurely, would go a long way in reducing deaths caused of preemies.

According to Medupin, Kogi state recorded no fewer than 408 premature deliveries in 2014, saying only 73 percent of the 115 babies born prematurely in 2016, the hospitals survived.

The executive director of Tiny Beating Hearts Initiatives, Petra Onyegbule, described the death of 802,600 premature babies annually in Nigeria as unacceptable.

Onyegbule lamented that of the number of premature babies born in Nigeria, 89,000 of the preterm babies don’t survive, said only a concerted efforts from government and all stakeholders would help in reducing premature babies and related issues.

She attributed lack of necessary environment, infrastructure and equipment as accounting for neo natal deaths, called on all stakeholders to work with government and relevant organisations in reducing the scourge of premature babies in the society and to guarantee that the next generation live a healthy life.

She described death of premature babies as needless and preventable said it can however be prevented only if hospitals are adequately equipped with equipment for neonatal services.