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…laments brain drain, appeals to colleagues to remain for the health of Nigerian child
By Bianca Iboma-Emefu
The Paediatric Association of Nigeria ( PAN), has said that an unacceptable 6.2m Nigerian children have never received any vaccine, or missed almost all their vaccines.
“ These so-called zero-doze children are one of the main reasons we are having outbreaks such as diphtheria in some parts of the country. We need to reach every child in the country, irrespective of their locations with vaccination and health care to guarantee the optimal well-being of each Nigeria citizen.
“This was disclosed yesterday by the leadership of the Association at a press briefing to herald its 55th annual conference scheduled to hold from Wednesday 17 to Friday 19th January 2024.
President of the association, Dr. Olufemi Ogunrinde said vaccination is a major intervention to prevent the outcome of epidemic and said all hands would be needed on board in order to create more awareness and equally tackle the myth and misinformation about vaccination.
He stressed that vaccines do not kill but lack of it does. The largest myth, disinformation and misinformation have prevented widespread awareness designed to keep the Nigerian child from getting vaccinated.
Ogunrinde stressed the need to reach every child in the country, irrespective of their location with vaccination and healthcare to guarantee the optimal wellbeing of each Nigerian citizen.
He recommended the need for us to catch-up with the vaccination programme, spread awareness about immeasurable benefits of vaccination. Children are the country’s “most important national assets and the key to the future of our country.”
Emphasizing the high level of newborn, infant and under-5 mortality,rate, he stated that the the time to act is now.
In his words:“The year 2030 is around the corner when we should have lowered under-5 mortality to a maximum of 25 child deaths per 1000 live births, and neonatal mortality to a maximum of 12 newborn deaths per 1000 live births.
However, the number for under-5 mortality is 102 and that for newborn is 34. It is obvious that we have an uphill, albeit not an insurmountable task ahead,” he pointed out.
He added that physical steps was needed to ensure good health for newborn. Encouraging colleagues in the field to remain committed to promoting the health of the Nigerian child.
The association also lamented that many of its members were leaving the country, saying those that were available had been overworked. “Brain drain is putting extreme pressure on our health care system and on health workers in the country,” he added
“This situation is dire, and I want the nation’s leaders to urgently work out pragmatic solutions to produce a national environment that is conducive for growth, development and productivity.
“I dare say that some of these solutions are staring at us in the face, requiring only political will to act decisively. We should not leave it until we reach the elastic limit, the point of no return, the state of irreversible shock,” Ogunrinde noted.
Meanwhile, the President Elect, Dr Ekanem Ekure said vaccines are available and are free . Nigeria need vaccines with long shelf lives. Developed countries gets support from Gavi, we can equally get support and ensuring the advocacy of women antenatal care.
Dr. Ekure stated part of what we do is interacting with the communities,trains the health workers to do their best and refers babies at due time. We need preventative measures by ensuring every child gets vaccinated through a free scheme and not the unsubsidized vaccine where most people cannot afford it.
“Though, we have made some gains in the health sector over the past few years, but we have had the unfortunate highest burden of death. Children dies every 37 seconds, with more awareness on free vaccines we can save lives.
” The first-ever malaria vaccine allocated to some African countries for 2023–2025 by Gavi, Nigeria’s NAFDAC wants trials on the vaccine before they can distribute it.
