Every year, thousands of infants die in Nigeria within days of birth because of inadequate newborn care, poor facilities, and limited access to essential health services. This project by Equitable Medicaid and Clinical Research will equip rural health centers with neonatal care kits, train birth attendants in essential newborn care, and ensure that vulnerable newborns receive immediate, lifesaving interventions in underserved areas.
Nigeria has one of the highest newborn mortality rates worldwide. Many rural and underserved health facilities lack basic equipment-warmers, resuscitation tools, neonatal supplies-and staff often aren't trained in the latest newborn care practices. As a result, infants born with breathing difficulties, hypothermia, or infections cannot receive timely care, leading to preventable deaths in the first days of life.
This project will work with rural clinics to provide neonatal care kits (warmers, resuscitation equipment, sterilization tools). We will train midwives and health workers on essential newborn care protocols, including thermal care, resuscitation, infection management, and breastfeeding support. Support supervision and mentoring will follow to ensure quality. Together, these interventions will help more newborns survive critical early days.
When newborns survive their first days, they have a better chance at healthy growth, contributing to healthier future generations. Health centers with improved neonatal services will become referral hubs, reducing death rates in entire regions. Trained staff will continue practicing and teaching essential neonatal care, strengthening the health system in rural Nigeria and saving lives well beyond the project period.
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