Olufemi Ogunrinde, President of the Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN), has refuted the allegation that the greatest minds in the country’s health sector had left for better pastures.
Mr Ogunrinde, speaking at a news conference to announce the 54th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the association on Wednesday in Akure, Ondo State capital, said there are still many excellent medical practitioners in the country who are committed to serving humanity despite the numerous challenges confronting the nation as a whole and the health sector in particular.
The conference’s subject is “Optimizing Child Healthcare in Nigeria Despite Current Socio-Economic Challenges.”
“I want to applaud the health workers who are sticking behind to continue providing services, and I want to highlight that it is not the greatest minds who are departing,” he stated.
“We still have the smartest and brightest minds who are not fleeing, who are dedicated to staying in our nation despite everything.”
Mortality rate
The president of the association, on the other hand, bemoaned the country’s infant mortality rate and urged for optimal performance of stakeholders for the well-being of children in Nigeria.
“We at PAN are not too satisfied with Nigeria’s low health indicators, while we have made some progress in recent years compared to 1990, but we still have some number of children dying,” Mr Ogunrinde added.
“According to the most recent figures, 74 children die for every 1000 births, with neonatal mortality nearly doubling that figure, at over 100.”
So, for every 1,000 infants born, around 100 die. That is around 10%. That is a loss for any country. When compared to what other individuals get in different climates, it is around three to 1000.
“We also have a handful of malnourished youngsters. They are stunted and developing slowly. And, based on past experience, these youngsters pose a societal challenge.
“They don’t develop well. They may grow healthily with appropriate diet, but brain damage has occurred, particularly during the first three years when they are meant to receive nutrients but are not.”
The doctor went on to suggest that such harm may be irreversible, and that it would certainly alter the country’s trajectory.
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