By Ajibola Olaide, JKNewsMedia Reporter
CHILD MORTALITY remains a pressing issue in Nigeria, with daily deaths of 2,300 children under five in rural areas, according to the National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS).
This alarming figure translates to 157 deaths per 1,000 live births, double the rate recorded in urban areas at 92 per 1,000.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Health Officer, Oluseyi Olosunde shared these statistics during a presentation at a Media Dialogue on Child Mortality organized by UNICEF’s Bauchi Field Office in Jos, Plateau State.
He emphasized that addressing child mortality aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly the aim to end preventable deaths of newborns and under-five children by 2030.
The NDHS also highlighted that neonatal mortality in Nigeria stands at 41 per 1,000 live births, contributing to 10% of global neonatal deaths.
The infant mortality rate is 63 per 1,000, while under-five mortality stands at 110 per 1,000 live births.
In the North-East subregion, progress has been mixed.
The 2018 NDHS report showed neonatal mortality at 43 per 1,000 live births, while the 2023/24 report recorded a slight improvement for infant and under-five mortality.
Despite these gains, challenges remain, particularly in Bauchi, Taraba, and Gombe states.
For instance, over 68% of births in Bauchi and 67% in Taraba occur at home, with Gombe recording 51.5%.
Postnatal care and immunization coverage remain inadequate, as three out of ten newborns in Bauchi and Taraba and five out of ten in Gombe lack postnatal care. Additionally, 30% of children in these states have not received any immunization.
Consultant paediatrician Dr. Ruth Adah of Jos University Teaching Hospital highlighted that child mortality reflects the fragility of Nigeria’s healthcare system and socio-economic conditions.
She noted that Bauchi State records 48 deaths per 1,000 live births annually.
Experts at the dialogue called for increased investment in healthcare to address preventable child deaths, stressing the urgent need for better maternal and child health services.
Journalists from Bauchi, Gombe, and Taraba attended the event, aiming to amplify these critical issues.
