Niger loses 19,000 under 5 children annually to Pneumonia, diarrhoea

By CHINWENDU NNADOZIE, Minna

Worried by the recent survey that says out of 195,000 children, 19,000 die before their 5th birthday, as Niger state government has inaugurated a committee that will ensure drastic reduction in unfavourable childhood morbidity and mortality.

A more recent Nigeria Demographic Health Survey (NDHS 2013) which indicated that annual live-birth figure in Niger state is 195, 000 out of which 19, 000 and the state has the third highest burden of childhood pneumonia among all the 7 North-Central states.

Available Survey also indicated that, nearly 6 million children under the age of five die every year globally mainly from preventable causes, and most of these deaths are caused by Pneumonia and Diarrhea, the major killers of children, Under five years (U-5).

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Joseph Kolo while inaugurating the Niger State Action Committee on Childhood Killer Diseases (NSACCKD) via a virtual meeting, over the weekend said the state government is worried and concerned about the trend.

The Committee has Dr. Ibrahim Dangana, Executive Director, State Primary Healthcare Care Development Agency (SPHCDA) as Chairman has Dr. Idris Mohammed Director, Public Health as Co-Chairman, Pharm Patrick Gimba, IMCI coordinator as Secretary, Dr. Aliyu Yabagi Shehu, Program Director CCRHS-PAS and 26 others as Members.

The committee unanimously agreed that there is the urgent need to ensure drastic reduction in the unfavourable Childhood U-5 Morbidity and Mortality from preventable diseases such as; Pneumonia and Diarrhoea in Niger state.

Team Leader of Niger PAS Partners and Project Director, Centre for Communication and Reproductive Health Services (CCRHS), Dr. Aliyu Yabagi Shehu expressed preparedness of the team to support the state government in ensuring that budgeted allocations are released on time.

Yabagi Shehu however called for an increase in the availability of new drugs (Amoxicillin DT, Zn-Lo-ORS) across the entire Primary Health Care (PHC) Centres (facilities) in Niger state to prevent further loss of lives.

According to Dr. Yabagi, “With this committee put in place, there will be drastic reduction in the unfavourable Childhood U-5 Morbidity and Mortality from preventable Pneumonia and Diarrhoea across health facilities in Niger state”. (Sunday Independent)