91% of women in Rivers patronise skilled birth attendants – UNICEF

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reports that 91 per cent of women in Rivers give birth with the assistance of skilled birth attendants.

Martin Dohlsten, UNICEF Health Manager, disclosed this on Tuesday in Port Harcourt during a media dialogue on neonatal healthcare, childhood illnesses, and vaccination.

According to Dohlsten, only 46 per cent of women in Nigeria overall deliver with the help of doctors, nurses, or midwives.

He noted that the high maternal and neonatal mortality rates in the country were linked to the presence or absence of skilled birth attendants during delivery.

Dohlsten also revealed that 32 per cent of newborn deaths in Nigeria occurred within the first 28 days of life, primarily due to premature birth or birth asphyxia.

Additionally, 79 per cent of neonatal deaths are caused by infections, prematurity, and asphyxia.

He identified several factors contributing to these deaths, including unstable electricity, a shortage of skilled birth attendants, weak referral systems, and the absence of clinical guidelines for maternal and newborn care.

However, he emphasised that with the right policies and the provision of basic healthcare services, significant progress in neonatal healthcare could be achieved.

Meanwhile, Abe Eghe, UNICEF Health Specialist in Rivers, reported that the state achieved 78 per cent of its measles vaccination coverage target in 2024.

He highlighted UNICEF’s ongoing support for the state’s supplementary immunisation efforts and routine vaccination programmes.

According to him, UNICEF ensures that the state has adequate resources, technical assistance, and financial support to improve immunisation coverage.

“Currently we’re also supporting them with a big catch-up campaign, where we are trying to reach those children who were missed during the COVID era.

“At that time, there was a reduction in immunisation coverage after the COVID era, because a lot of persons were not able to access immunisation. So we’re trying to see how we can catch up.

“We continue to support them with community engagement.

“We are reaching out to the community to encourage mothers, encourage caregivers, and also reaching out to traditional leaders to see how we can further improve their uptake of immunisation.”.