Nigerian Paediatricians Call for Local Solutions to Combat Child Mortality 

The 56th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN), has commenced in Gombe, highlighting the urgent need for localized solutions to tackle vaccine-preventable child mortality in the country.

During the opening press briefing, PAN President Dr. Ekanem Ekure, emphasized the need for increased budget allocations and timely disbursements by state governments to address child health issues. Dr. Ekure stressed that without significant efforts to curb neonatal deaths, responsible for a large proportion of under-five mortality, Nigeria’s progress in reducing child mortality would remain stalled.

She highlighted the alarming rate of low immunization coverage, noting that Nigeria has the highest number of “zero-dose” children globally, with 2.1 million children yet to receive any vaccines.

“This gap was a major factor contributing to recurring disease outbreaks and high mortality rates in the country.

“Nigeria remains one of the top contributors to global childhood mortality. The under-five mortality rate in 2023 was 110 deaths per 1,000 live births, compared to 132 in 2018. While infant mortality has slightly declined, neonatal mortality has unfortunately increased,” she said.

The President of PAN identified neonatal conditions, respiratory infections, malaria, diarrheal diseases, vaccine-preventable illnesses, and HIV/AIDS as the primary causes of child deaths in Nigeria.

She therefore called for stronger advocacy and training to counter vaccine hesitancy, particularly regarding the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which she reassured was safe, effective, and critical for preventing cervical cancer.

“In countries like Australia, where the HPV vaccine has been in use for years, infertility among recipients has not been reported. Girls aged 9 to 14 years are strongly recommended to receive this vaccine, while older women should prioritize cervical cancer screening,” Dr. Ekure stated.

FOCUS OF THE CONFERENCE

The conference theme: “Intersectoral Collaboration in Advancing Child Health,” underscores the importance of partnerships across various sectors to improve child health outcomes.

Dr. Ekure said there was the need for accurate data collection, inter-sectoral collaboration, and grassroots advocacy to ensure impactful interventions, while urging families to adopt sustainable practices like growing food locally and preparing nutritious meals to address child malnutrition.

Local Government Participation

A significant feature of the conference is the inclusion of local government chairpersons from the six northeastern states, who are expected to collaborate with paediatricians to enhance child health policies at the grassroots level.

“If we don’t engage them and raise awareness, progress will be slow. Bringing these leaders into the room allows them to understand the issues and implement solutions effectively,” Dr. Ekure noted.

Experience Sharing and Progress Evaluation

The conference will also serve as a platform for paediatricians from across Nigeria to share their diverse experiences and identify best practices.

“The event’s “Experience Sharing Workshop” will enable immunization champions to evaluate progress, share insights, and strategize for greater impact,” said Dr. Ekure.

He also reaffirmed PAN’s dedication to improving the health, education, and economic prospects of Nigerian children through coordinated interventions and grassroots engagement, while promising that the conference will be a vital step in addressing child mortality and advancing child health nationwide.