President of the society, Professor Angela Okolo, who is also a professor of pediatrics and child health from the university of Benin teaching hospital, noted that 40% of infant mortality are from new born.
Speaking to journalist at the society’s 7th conference, themed, “enhancing neonatal survival in Nigeria; which way forward, Professor Angela Okolo lamented that many babies die in Nigeria ranking it second to India and Pakistan.
According to her, their child survival strategies have been going on for so many years, and have reduced drastically the number of children under one years that are dying.
She added that up to 30%- 40% of infant mortality comes from the deaths of babies less than one month and if the country is to achieve MDGs 4, everything must be done to prevent babies less than one month from dying.
Explaining Okolo added that babies die from asphyxia saying, “this is understanding so because as many as 40% of our babies are not born in the health system where they can get help, they are born in the community and at home.
Earlier the past president of the society, Rapheal Oruamabo observed that one of the greatest challenge of neo-natal survival is jaundice, which is quite different from those found in adult because if not treated can destroy the brain.
He pointed out that the society is concerned because the prevalence of jaundice which most communities are ignorant about.
He called on mothers to be more observant of the changes in their babies and take them to the nearest health facilities to see a health specialist to examine the child.
He warned against putting babies in the early morning sun, saying it is wrong, and a waste of time and warned against self medication.
Professor Ifeoma Egbuonu who spoke on the importance of breastfeeding said that mothers should be encouraged to breast feed their babies within one hour from their birth.
