The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has disclosed that Nigeria loses approximately 2,300 children under five and 145 women of childbearing age every day, primarily due to preventable diseases and complications related to pregnancy and childbirth.
This alarming statistic was presented by Dr. Muyi Aina, Executive Director of the NPHCDA, during a two-day engagement meeting focused on vaccination, maternal, and child health. The event, held in Abuja and organized by the Sultan Foundation for Peace and Development, aims to mobilize religious leaders from northern Nigeria to address these critical health challenges.
Dr. Aina emphasized that most of these deaths occur in northern Nigeria, where the healthcare system faces significant hurdles. He reported that Nigeria has recorded 70 cases of circulating variant poliovirus Type 2 across 46 local government areas in 14 northern states, indicating ongoing transmission fueled by low routine immunization rates and vaccine refusals.
“This must change,” Dr. Aina urged. “We must ensure that every woman has access to antenatal care, that every pregnancy is delivered by trained midwives, and that every child receives routine immunizations.” He called on religious leaders to foster trust between healthcare providers and their communities to ensure that no mother or child is left behind.
Dr. Aina expressed gratitude to the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and Most Reverend Daniel Okoh for their roles in mobilizing support for immunization and primary healthcare programs. He also acknowledged the Sultan Foundation and other partners for their dedication to improving health outcomes in Nigeria.
Dr. Walter Mulombo, Country Representative of the World Health Organization, stressed the importance of partnerships in achieving universal health coverage. He stated that a whole-of-society approach to health is essential for equitable health distribution across all communities.
The Sultan of Sokoto, HRH Saad Abubakar, reiterated the need for religious leaders to promote development, peace, and security. He highlighted the importance of health and security in Nigeria’s overall development and commended the collaborative efforts of the Sultan Foundation with organizations like UNICEF and the Bill Gates Foundation.
