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The Oyo State Government has expressed concern over the high rate of neonatal deaths in the state, saying it is unacceptable.
Speaking at the opening of the Maternal, Newborn & Child Health week (MNCHW) in Ibadan on Monday, the Commissioner for Health , Dr Azeez Adeduntan, disclosed that the state records 42 deaths per 1000 live births compared to the national figure which is put at 39 deaths per 1000 live births.
Adeduntan attributed the state’s high neonatal deaths to low skill birth attendants, umbilical cord abscesses and neonatal tetanus, adding that the state had commenced training of more hands to ensure increased delivery by trained birth attendants.
He revealed that the state is also working in collaboration with many teaching hospitals in the state to ensure a reduction in the deaths of babies in their first months of life.
While urging the public to report cases of unprofessionals in the health sector, he said the MNCHW would give mothers opportunity to immunise their children against many childhood killer diseases.
He said children will receive vitamin A supplement and deworming tablets as well as long lasting insecticidal treated nets.
He assured of the safety of the vaccine just as he said all the services will be available for mothers’ at all health care facilities in the state.
Earlier, the Chairman of Ibadan East local government, Prince Gbade Lana urged mothers to ensure they take advantage of these free health services to improve the health of their babies.
The MNCHW is a regular event organised to deliver an integrated package of preventive services known to be highly cost-effective for improving maternal and child health survival in Nigeria.