By
Muhammad Jamil Abubakar
Experts have called for a collective and strategic response from stakeholders in Nigeria’s health sector to address the persistent issue of child mortality.
This was the focus of a one-day media dialogue organized by UNICEF’s Bauchi Field Office in Jos, Plateau State, which brought together participants from Gombe, Bauchi, and Taraba states.
Recent data from the National Demographic and Health Survey reveals alarming figures: 41 newborns out of every 1,000 live births, 63 infants out of every 1,000, and 110 children under five out of every 1,000 die annually in Nigeria.
The Northeast region records some of the highest mortality rates in the country.
In her presentation titled “Child Mortality – Exploring a Hydra-Headed Menace,” Dr. Ruth Adah, a consultant pediatrician at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, highlighted that five million children die annually worldwide from preventable causes.
She stressed that every child deserves to live and urged all stakeholders to take collective action to end this crisis.
Addressing the “Drivers of Child Mortality,” Dr. Amos Audu, UNICEF Bauchi Field Office Health Specialist, identified pneumonia, malaria, birth complications, and lack of oxygen as the leading causes of child deaths.
He also pointed to underlying issues such as poverty, poor maternal health, lack of antenatal care, limited access to quality healthcare, malnutrition, and cultural practices.
The UNICEF Health Officer, Dr. Oluseyi Olusunde, emphasized the role of government, partners, community leaders, media, health workers, and caregivers in combating child mortality.
He called for increased government investment in the health sector, strengthened partnerships, and greater accountability in primary healthcare systems.
He urged journalists to monitor healthcare delivery and encouraged community leaders to challenge barriers to standard health practices.
Caregivers were also advised to prioritize their children’s health.
At the event, UNICEF reminded participants of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to reduce neonatal mortality to 12 per 1,000 live births and under-five mortality to 25 per 1,000 live births by 2030.
The dialogue underscored the urgent need for coordinated efforts to ensure that Nigerian children no longer die from preventable causes.
