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ABUJA – As Nigeria joins the global community to commemorate World Pneumonia and Prematurity Day, the Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to reducing under-five mortality rates through strengthened collaboration with partners and stakeholders.
Speaking during a ministerial press briefing at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, emphasized the importance of tackling preventable causes of child mortality.
He described childhood pneumonia as a “forgotten killer” and noted its lack of priority attention despite being a significant contributor to global childhood morbidity and mortality.
Dr. Salako highlighted grim statistics, revealing that childhood pneumonia causes approximately 808,920 deaths annually, predominantly in low- and middle-income countries, with Nigeria accounting for a substantial portion.
He noted that while the country’s under-five mortality rate had dropped from 132 per 1,000 live births in 2018 to 110 per 1,000 in 2023, the current reduction rate may fall short of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals target by 2030 without adopting and implementing proven interventions.
To this end, he reaffirmed the Federal Government’s collaboration with partners, including the “Every Breast Counts Coalition,” the Paediatric Association of Nigeria, and other stakeholders, to strengthen efforts against child mortality.
In a significant show of commitment, Dr. Salako acknowledged the donation of 400 Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines for neonates with respiratory distress syndrome by HATCH Technologies and the Christian Health Association of Nigeria (CHAN). This initiative aligns with the Nigeria Every Newborn Action Plan (NiENAP) 2023, which aims to reduce neonatal deaths to 12 per 1,000 live births by 2030.
The Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, also underscored the relevance of this year’s themes, “Access to Quality Care Everywhere” for World Prematurity Day and “Championing the Fight to Stop Pneumonia” for Pneumonia Day, as a clarion call to strengthen the healthcare system, close inequality gaps, and support the most vulnerable groups.
Goodwill messages from key partners, including UNICEF, WHO, and USAID, reinforced the collaborative commitment to addressing these critical health challenges.
