Nigeria’s Health Crisis: Thousands of Women and Children Die Daily

Nigeria is facing a severe health crisis, with approximately 2,300 children under the age of five and 145 women of childbearing age dying daily, mostly in northern Nigeria . This alarming statistic was revealed by Dr. Muyi Aina, Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), at a recent meeting with religious leaders from northern Nigeria.

The meeting, organized by the Sultan Foundation for Peace and Development, aimed to mobilize religious leaders to support immunization and primary health care programs. Dr. Aina emphasized the need for improved access to antenatal care, skilled midwives, and complete routine immunization. “We must ensure that every woman has access to antenatal care, that every pregnancy is delivered by trained and skilled midwives, and that every child completes their routine immunization according to the National schedule,” he stated.

Nigeria is also grappling with the transmission of circulating variant poliovirus type 2, with 70 reported cases across 14 northern states. Dr. Aina attributed this to low routine immunization and vaccine refusal during polio campaigns.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative, Dr. Walter Mulombo, highlighted the importance of partnership in achieving universal health coverage. “Partnership is a critical vehicle in achieving the broader goal of universal health coverage,” he said.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar, stressed the need for religious leaders to promote development, peace, and security. “Health and security are essential to Nigeria’s development,” he emphasized.

Dr. Aina expressed gratitude to the Sultan Foundation and partners for their support. “I would like to once again thank His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and His Eminence, Most Reverend Daniel Okoh, for always mobilizing traditional and religious leaders to support immunization and other Primary Health Care programmes,” he said.

To address Nigeria’s health crisis, collective action and collaboration among policymakers, healthcare professionals, religious leaders, and communities are necessary. By working together, Nigeria can ensure improved health outcomes for all its citizens.