By Eberechi Obinagwam
A non – governmental organisation, Child Survival and Development Organisation of Nigeria, (CSDON), has raised the alarm that no fewer than 262, 000 babies die at birth in Nigeria yearly.
It also said that with the record, the West African country was now rated second in the world on infant mortality.
The figure was disclosed at the CSDON beneficial dinner in Eko Hotels, Lagos at the weekend.
The founder, Child Survival Development Organisation of Nigeria, wife of former Governor of Cross River State, Onari Duke, said that Nigeria was a predominantly young country with an estimated 83 million persons under the age of 15, and about 40 million women of child bearing age.
She explained that the country also had over 30 million children under the ages of five, and another seven million children were being born each year.
She however pointed out that the above statistics was a result of disproportionate number of health challenges faced by women and children.
She also explained that her foundation provides for Medicare and Medicaid for women and children, Cancer Awareness, and Treatment programme, birth defect awareness and treatment.
According to her, in the past 18 months, the foundation has given out free medical and surgical mission in Calabar which is in conjunction with Surgical Foundation in 2018.
“We have continued to provide financial support towards the treatment of children with childhood cancers or Spina Bifida or other birth defects at Teaching Hospital of the Universities of Calabar, Port Harcourt and Lagos, with a total of 20 children as beneficiaries,” she said.
