Increasing death rate of new born babies unacceptable- Prof. Osaghae

The Provost, College of Health Sciences, Igbinedion University, Prof. Dominic Osaghae  has said that the   increasing death rate among new born babies in the country is unacceptable

The medical doctor who condemned the trend during the monthly seminar organized by the Institute of Child Care, University of Benin, UNIBEN  and University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, with the theme, “small actions, Big Impact” in Benin City noted that the increasing  death rate among new born is unacceptable.

According to them, most of the affected babies are those delivered out side the hospital environment and such delivery centers should be targeted and educated on the importance of the skin to skin care for every baby.

In the words of Osaghae,  Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, “Nigeria is leading with the high  death rate among new born children in the world and the skin to skin care has the potential to reduce the death rate.

While  commending the Institute of Child Health for upholding the long term tradition of educating the public, Prof. Osaghae, Medical director,  Modic Hospital Benin, noted that the skin to skin care after delivery should be made part of antenatal care.

The Chairman of the seminar with the topic, Immediate Skin to Skin Care for Every baby Every where,  Prof. Charles  Eregie urge policy makers to recognize the significance of Skin to Skin care and provide the basic environment.

“Since 2008 we have been speaking on the issue of pre-term babies to ensure care for them. 75 percent of the causes are preventable with small actions Big Impact. Immediate skin to skin care for every baby and none should be discriminated against,” he noted.

The Speaker, Dr. Ani said around the world today, preterm is now the leading cause of death of new born babies, adding that the first embrace with the parent is very important.

According to him, the World Health Organization, WHO and the United Nations Children Education Fund, UNICEF advocate for immediate skin to skin care, referred to as the magical  hour, golden hour or sacred hour.

He said it is important for mother to practice skin to skin care because there are physiologic benefits to baby and mother when the baby is placed on the mothers chest after delivery..

The Director, Institute of Child Health, UNIBEN/UBTH, Prof. A.E Sadoh disclosed that the best incubator for the baby is between the mother’s breast to among others, regulate the baby’s temperature.