The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has announced that 91% of women in Rivers State give birth with the assistance of skilled birth attendants. Dr. Martin Dohlsten, UNICEF’s Health Manager, shared this information on Tuesday in Port Harcourt during a media dialogue focused on neonatal healthcare, childhood illnesses, and vaccination.
In contrast, Dr. Dohlsten highlighted that only 46% of women nationwide in Nigeria deliver with the aid of doctors, nurses, or midwives. He emphasized that the country’s high maternal and neonatal death rates are closely tied to the presence of skilled birth attendants during childbirth.
Additionally, Dr. Dohlsten revealed that 32% of newborn deaths in Nigeria occur within the first 28 days of life, largely due to premature birth and birth asphyxia. He further noted that 79% of neonatal deaths are caused by infections, prematurity, and asphyxia.