Save the Children trains health workers to reduce infant mortality in Yobe
By Ahmed Abba
Save the Children International (SCI) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health (FMH) has commenced a training programme on Essential Newborn Car to reduce infant mortality rates in Yobe.
The Field Manager for SCI, Yobe, Mr. Mark Umoru made this known to our correspondent on Saturday in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital.
He said other collaborators were Yobe State Ministry of Health, and the State Hospital Management Board.
Umoru, explained that the training aimed to enhance newborn care practices in hospitals, promote family-centered care, and ultimately reduce infant mortality.
He added that as part of the initiative, SCI had donated equipments to the State Specialist Hospital’s special baby care unit.
He list the equipments to include neonatal ventilator, infant baby incubator, continuous positive airway pressure machine, oxygen concentration (10Liter), infusion pump, phototherapy lamp, multi-parameter monitor, neonatal stethoscopes, neonatal laryngoscope, bag and mask devices (bag 250ml, digital pets dog cat baby infant weighing scale, haemoglobinometer/hemocue.
Other items according to him are portable handheld oximeter LED display blood oxygen puls, two desktop computers and HMIS software development and internet, radiant warmer and electric sunction machine.
“We want to ensure that health workers who will be using this equipment are well-trained, hence the practical component of the training,” Umoru emphasised.
He expressed appreciation to FMH, Yobe Ministry of Health and the state Hospital Management Board.
Mr. Iyamu Edward, representing the Federal Ministry of Health, clarified that the training is foundational for frontline health workers in managing newborns before referring them to higher-level care facilities.
He affirmed the ministry’s role in ensuring adherence to guidelines throughout the training process.
Edward also said the participants include medical doctors, nurses, and midwives from various state government facilities.
Dr Babawaru Goni, the Chief Medical Director of Yobe State University Teaching Hospital, expressed gratitude for the timely intervention, stating that it will significantly impact the state’s health services.
Dr. Abubakar Faruq, a pediatrician, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the training’s potential to reduce infant morbidity and mortality.
He assured that participants would share their acquired knowledge with their colleagues
