Three governors in the South-West have been advised to adopt the global requirement of one functional primary healthcare facility per ward to stem the high rate of infant mortality.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), supported by UNICEF, on Thursday rated Oyo, Ogun and Ekiti States high in infant mortality rates in the country.
This was disclosed at the ongoing two-day media dialogue on the 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster (MICS) 6.
The media dialogue was organised by UNICEF, in partnership with the National Orientation Agency (NOA).
The statistics indicated that three to four children died within one month of delivery in the three states.
Describing the development as worrisome, Dr Ijeoma Agbo, a nutrition specialist, stressed need for the three states to adopt global requirement of one functional primary healthcare facility per ward.
She called on the governments of affected states to adopt all necessary strategies to strengthen their healthcare system toward reducing the high rate of infant and child mortality.
“Though, governments of these states have introduced various meaningful healthcare programmes, much more still needed to be done to save the lives of new born babies,” Agbo said.
The nutritionist called for improved awareness on the need for expectant mothers to patronise healthcare facilities rather than faith-based clinics, which according to her, is a major factor responsible for the high mortality rate.
She said though Lagos State had the lowest rate of child mortality, there was need for government to do more, considering the population.
Oluwasola Olanipekun, UNICEF Chief Management for Result, Programme and Planning (M4R) Specialist, said one out of 10 girls got married before the age of 15, while three out of 10 boys got married before 18 years.
(NAN)
