Maternal health specialists have expressed concern over the inadequate availability of crucial equipment to support premature infants and have called for greater investment in facilities that can save lives.
They highlighted the challenge of finding lifesaving equipment, such as incubators and ventilators, not only in major government-owned healthcare facilities but also in many rural areas, significantly impacting the chances of survival for preterm babies.
The gynecologists pointed out that numerous Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in Nigeria, established to provide healthcare services to rural communities and improve accessibility to care, lack basic necessities like electricity and specialized equipment, exacerbating the already tenuous survival prospects for preterm babies in these settings.
Medical professionals underscored that the absence of essential tools in PHCs and other healthcare facilities nationwide has contributed to elevated mortality rates among premature infants, underscoring the need for increased investment from various stakeholders to enhance these vital services.
According to data from the World Health Organization, preterm birth refers to babies born before completing 37 weeks of gestation, with classifications including extremely preterm (less than 28 weeks), very preterm (28 to less than 32 weeks), and moderate to late preterm (32 to 37 weeks).
The WHO reported that in 2020, approximately 13.4 million babies were born prematurely, representing over a tenth of all births globally. Tragically, in 2019 alone, 900,000 children lost their lives due to complications associated with preterm birth, with many survivors facing long-term disabilities.
NAIJATRAFFIC discovered that, Health experts have stressed that the majority of preterm fatalities—amounting to three-quarters of cases—could be averted through the implementation of existing, cost-effective interventions.
A Pediatric Consultant at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital in Nnewi, Anambra State, Dr. Sylvia Echendu, elucidated that while the factors leading to preterm infant deaths are well-documented, the key culprits are the lack of essential equipment and skilled healthcare professionals.
Dr. Echendu highlighted that many premature infants perish in remote areas due to the absence of critical equipment, emphasizing that prioritized investments from the government and other stakeholders in the healthcare sector could markedly reduce these preventable deaths.
“There is insufficient equipment to manage these cases. Some hospitals lack vital resources such as oxygen, incubators, and phototherapy units.
“In some instances, preterm babies are placed in the sun as a makeshift treatment for jaundice in the absence of proper equipment.
“While this might be effective for mild cases, it is inadequate for severe jaundice, which requires a well-equipped phototherapy unit,” she said.
A consultant highlighted the dire need for better medical infrastructure, revealing that only two centers in the state have ventilators for critical care patients.
She emphasized the importance of reliable power supply, as many hospitals lack essential equipment to support preterm babies’ lives.
Investing in equipment and training healthcare professionals in neonatal care could drastically reduce preterm mortality rates in Nigeria.
“Local facilities often do not refer preterm cases to us in time, and when they do, it is frequently too late. It is crucial to seek care in facilities equipped to handle preterm births to ensure the best possible outcomes for these vulnerable infants,” she added.
Dr. Ngozi Obiora, a Consultant Gynecologist and Obstetrician at Havana Specialist Hospital in Lagos, emphasized that a healthy pregnancy is the foundation for preventing preterm birth complications and deaths.
She highlighted the need for hospitals to have the necessary resources and for expectant mothers to take proactive measures before and during pregnancy to minimize the risk of preterm births.
Dr. Obiora noted that WHO’s antenatal care guidelines include essential interventions such as healthy diet counseling, optimal nutrition, and substance use avoidance to prevent preterm birth.
She also stressed the importance of fetal measurements, early ultrasound, and regular health check-ups, starting before 12 weeks, to identify and manage risk factors like infections, supporting a healthy pregnancy.
By taking these measures, Dr. Obiora believes that the need for preterm births can be significantly reduced, leading to better outcomes for mothers and babies.
