FG, SCI train 48 doctors, nurses on newborn care in Yobe
By Ahmed Abba
The Federal Government, in collaboration with Save the Children International (SCI), has trained 48 doctors and nurses in Essential and Comprehensive Newborn Care Courses (ENCC and CNCC) in Yobe.
The SCI Field Manager in Yobe, Mr Mark Umoru, made this known at the closing ceremony of the training on Friday in Damaturu.
He said the frontline health workers were now equipped with updated knowledge and skills to identify and manage common newborn complications, provide essential newborn care, and resuscitate newborns using a family-centered approach.
Umoru expressed optimism that the training, coupled with other quality improvement activities, would increase the survival rate of newborns referred to higher centres in the state.
He urged the Yobe health authority to expedite the operationalisation of the special baby care unit at the state teaching hospital to ensure that the skills acquired during the training are put to use.
He quoted the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey of 2018 (NDHS 2018) as revealing that 39 out of every 1,000 live births in Nigeria result in death within the first 28 days of life.
He added that “with approximately seven million babies born annually in Nigeria, an estimated 273,000 newborn babies lose their lives each year.”
Umoru assured SCI’s commitment to maintaining partnership for the enhancement of the healthcare sector in Yobe and Nigeria at large.
The Commissioner of Health, Dr Mohammed Gana, said the training was to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to cater for sick newborn babies.
He urged the participants to implement the skills acquired during the training.
Earlier, Mrs Asabe Karagama, Newborn Desk, Federal Ministry of Health, commended the Yobe Government for hosting the training.
She urged the participants to share the knowledge and experiences gained with their colleagues at their respective workplaces.
NAN
