NIGERIA RECORDS 280,000 NEWBORN DEATHS YEARLY, HEALTH EXPERT RAISES CONCERN

NIGERIA RECORDS 280,000 NEWBORN DEATHS YEARLY, HEALTH EXPERT RAISES CONCERN


A health expert has revealed that Nigeria loses an estimated 280,000 newborn babies every year within the first 28 days of life, placing the country among the highest contributors to neonatal deaths globally.

The disclosure was made by the Executive Director of the Centre for Newborn Health Research and Innovation (CeNHRI), Dr. Olufunke Bolaji, during a public health engagement in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State.

Bolaji, a consultant paediatrician and neonatologist, said Nigeria currently ranks as the second-highest contributor to neonatal deaths worldwide, stressing that many of these deaths are preventable with proper medical care and timely intervention.

According to her, the leading causes of newborn deaths in the country include prematurity, perinatal asphyxia, and neonatal infections, all of which can largely be prevented or effectively treated through skilled healthcare services.

She explained that a significant challenge facing the healthcare sector is the wide gap between available medical knowledge and its practical implementation at the point of care.

The medical expert noted that many healthcare workers lack access to structured simulation-based training, while locally generated research evidence remains limited and policy decisions are often disconnected from practical healthcare realities.

Bolaji spoke while highlighting the objectives of the newly established Centre for Newborn Health Research and Innovation, a research institution created by the Ekiti State Government within the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital in Ado Ekiti.

The centre was established with support from the Gates Foundation and the Initiative for Social Impact and Development to improve healthcare outcomes for mothers and newborns.

CeNHRI was officially inaugurated on June 5 by Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji with a mandate focused on generating scientific evidence, building clinical capacity, driving innovation, and translating research into effective healthcare policies for newborn care.

Speaking during the inauguration, Governor Oyebanji said the centre would serve as a collaborative platform where researchers, clinicians, policymakers, development partners, and communities can work together to develop practical solutions aimed at reducing infant mortality.

The governor added that although the centre is located in Ekiti State, its mission extends beyond Nigeria, describing it as an Africa-focused institution designed to strengthen health systems across the continent and contribute to reducing neonatal mortality rates.

Bolaji stated that the institution aims to close existing healthcare gaps through simulation-based training, advanced research, capacity development programs, and policy engagement specifically tailored to Nigeria’s healthcare environment.

She explained that the facility includes a purpose-built simulation centre equipped with advanced mannequins, clinical equipment, and observation facilities that allow healthcare workers to practice life-saving newborn care procedures in realistic and controlled environments before applying those skills in actual medical situations.

According to her, the first phase of simulation-based training for healthcare workers across Ekiti State is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2026.

She emphasized that every healthcare system requires quality evidence to improve service delivery, while healthcare professionals need modern tools and updated skills to effectively respond to newborn emergencies.

Bolaji added that every newborn deserves the opportunity to survive and thrive, stressing that stronger investment in newborn healthcare systems remains critical to reducing preventable infant deaths across Nigeria.

Health experts continue to advocate for improved maternal and child healthcare services nationwide as Nigeria works toward reducing mortality rates and strengthening healthcare delivery systems.

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