For decades, Nigeria has battled a silent but deadly crisis — the loss of thousands of newborn babies to preventable causes. Medical experts continue to warn that unless urgent reforms are implemented, neonatal deaths and lifelong disabilities will remain a tragic reality. This concern took centre stage recently during a media interaction led by veteran paediatrician and neonatal care advocate, Dr. Efunbo Dosekun, who spoke passionately about the gaps in Nigeria’s newborn care system and what must be done to fix them.
Dr. Dosekun is a respected paediatrician and healthcare leader whose impact on child and neonatal care in Nigeria spans over four decades. With more than 40 years of experience across the UK and Nigerian health systems, she is the Chief Executive Director of Outreach Medical Services Group, a network of women’s and children’s hospitals that has become a reference point for neonatal and paediatric care. Known for her quiet determination and deep commitment to saving newborn lives, Dr. Dosekun continues to combine clinical expertise with strategic healthcare leadership.
Why the First Minutes After Birth Matter
According to Dr. Dosekun, many newborn deaths in Nigeria occur within the first few minutes after delivery, often because babies who fail to cry or breathe immediately are not given timely help. She explained that something as basic as newborn resuscitation can mean the difference between life and death.
She referenced the “Helping Babies Breathe” initiative, which teaches simple steps health workers must take within the first 60 seconds of life. These actions, she noted, can successfully restore breathing in up to 99 percent of affected babies.
“Every baby deserves a chance to live,” she said, stressing that education and early intervention are the strongest weapons against neonatal mortality.
She added that Nigeria does not need only specialist paediatricians to save babies. Rather, thousands of nurses, midwives and birth attendants can be trained to respond effectively in emergency situations — a strategy that has proven successful in other countries.
Hospitals Under Pressure
During the media session, journalists raised concerns about the harsh realities in many public hospitals. Overcrowded wards, long waiting times and inadequate staffing often delay urgent care for newborns. In some cases, families are turned away or told no doctor is available, leaving critically ill babies at risk.
While major teaching hospitals such as LASUTH and LUTH have specialized neonatal units, Dr. Dosekun noted that many general hospitals and primary health centres across the country lack the facilities to manage sick newborns. This gap weakens referral systems and limits the impact of awareness campaigns.
Shortage of Neonatal Beds and Lifelong Consequences
One of the most worrying issues highlighted was the shortage of neonatal intensive care beds. Standard NICUs are built to handle about 20 to 25 babies, yet in major cities like Lagos, these units are often pushed far beyond capacity.
Dr. Dosekun warned that when babies do not receive timely oxygen or specialist care, many survive with permanent brain damage.
“These children live with disabilities for life,” she explained. “It affects families emotionally and financially, and it affects the nation’s future.”
How Government is Steping In
Dr. Dosekun acknowledged that government attention to neonatal care is increasing. She revealed that the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has begun playing a regulatory role, ensuring standards, monitoring payments and supporting neonatal care programmes.
The government, she said, has also adopted a pilot model, selecting a few public and private hospitals to test improved neonatal care systems. Outreach Medical Services was among those selected due to its track record in newborn care, staff training and equipment investment.
According to her, lessons from these pilot centres will guide wider implementation across the country.
Awareness Still Low
Despite the growing attention, awareness remains a major challenge. Federal figures show that about 280,000 Nigerian babies die within their first 28 days each year, yet many mothers say neonatal risks and available services are rarely discussed during antenatal visits.
Dr. Dosekun stressed that mothers, families and communities must be better informed about danger signs and what to do immediately after delivery.
Community-Based Solutions
Beyond hospitals, Dr. Dosekun believes the solution lies in community involvement. Traditional birth attendants, primary health workers, grandmothers and community leaders must all be part of the conversation.
She also called for closer collaboration between obstetricians and pediatricians so that high-risk pregnancies are identified early and properly managed.
“Everyone must understand that this is a national problem,” she said. “And once people are aware, action will follow.”
Hope for the Future
Looking ahead, Dr. Dosekun outlined a vision for a strong neonatal care system built on education, strengthened primary healthcare, efficient referral networks and reliable data. She expressed optimism that with focused efforts over the next few years, Nigeria can drastically reduce newborn deaths and disabilities.
“We should be sending babies home alive and healthy,” she said. “That is the goal.”
For Dr. Efunbo Dosekun, saving newborn lives is not just a medical mission — it is a national responsibility, and one Nigeria can no longer afford to ignore.
