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Lagos State government has launched a document that contains strategies to accelerate progress towards achieving the vision to reduce and end preventable newborn deaths and stillbirths in the state, titled: Lagos State Every Newborn Action Plan (LaSENAP).
The document, which was unveiled and disseminated to health sector stakeholders at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, was developed in line with the Nigerian Every Newborn Action Plan (NiENAP) and the Lagos State Strategic Health Development Plan II (SSDPII).
Speaking at the launch of the document, the permanent secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, noted that the LaSENAP document was aimed at scaling up evidence-based and cost-effective interventions that will serve as concerted efforts towards translating global, national and state commitments into a meaningful change for newborns.
In his words: “The LaSENAP document contains the strategy of the Lagos State government to accelerate progress towards achieving the vision to reduce and ultimately end preventable newborn deaths and stillbirths.
“The plan is aimed at not only fast-tracking progress but also scaling up evidence-based and cost-effective interventions that will serve as concerted efforts towards translating global, national and state commitments into a meaningful change for newborns while improving coverage targets in line with the global timeline for year 2030.”
Explaining that the LaSENAP document was developed in line with NiENAP and SSDPII, making use of 10 thematic areas and presenting the intervention packages required to improve newborn health through a four-pronged approach, Ogboye opined that implementing LaSENAP would help reduce neonatal mortality in Lagos and Nigeria.
“It is expected that, with the efforts and gains contributed from implementing the LaSENAP, neonatal mortality in Nigeria will reduce to 15 per 1,000 live births or less by 2030, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals target.”
On her part, chief, United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF ), Lagos Field Office, Dr. Celine Lafoucriere, noted that the launch and dissemination of the LaSENAP document was a significant milestone for thousands of newborns in Lagos whose fundamental right to survival is about to take a positive turn.
She added that the development and dissemination of the plan was a testament to the Lagos State government’s commitment to prioritizing children’s health and wellbeing and a positive move towards achieving the SDG target for reducing neonatal deaths in Nigeria.
“By putting the health and wellbeing of children and newborns on the agenda through this tool for strengthening newborn care, we collectively give them a fair chance at a better and safer life. Healthy women and children are the backbone of a healthy and productive society, and maternal and newborn health is critical for achieving universal health coverage,” Lafoucriere said.
Director, Family Health and Nutrition, Dr. Folashade Oludara, noted that the LaSENAP document had the collective wisdom and expertise of the technical teams, civil society organizations and community leaders.
“This document emerged from meticulous scrutiny of the national versions, accompanied by a series of bottleneck analyses and validations at various levels. This patient and thorough process has yielded a well-crafted document that we believe will garner commitment from donors, philanthropists, development partners, and compassionate individuals.”
