The federal government has expressed concern over the rise in neonatal mortality in Nigeria, despite a decline in deaths among children under five.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, disclosed this while citing the 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey at the commemoration of the 2026 National Health Promotion Day in Abuja on Thursday.

According to the survey, under-five mortality declined from 132 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2018 to 110 in 2024, representing a reduction of about 17 per cent.

However, neonatal mortality, which measures deaths within the first 28 days of life, increased from 39 to 41 deaths per 1,000 live births within the same period.

Mr Pate, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, said the figures highlight the need to accelerate preventive healthcare, early diagnosis and timely access to quality medical services.

The event, themed “Health Promotion: Owning My Health,” with the slogan “Take Charge, Live Well,” marked the third edition of the National Health Promotion Day.

The minister reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, which prioritises improving maternal and child health, strengthening primary healthcare, expanding immunisation, tackling non-communicable diseases and reducing the burden of HIV, tuberculosis and malaria.

He described health promotion as a strategic investment in the country’s health system, noting that improving health outcomes required more than the availability of hospital services.

According to him, preventive interventions, informed individual choices, healthier environments and systems that support citizens’ wellbeing are equally important.

Preventive healthcare

Mr Pate listed ongoing preventive health interventions to include hypertension detection, hepatitis elimination through initiatives such as Project 365, cervical cancer prevention and screening, improved nutrition, immunisation and measures to prevent and control communicable diseases.

He said the impact of these interventions should be measured through increased screening, completed referrals, access to treatment and the prevention of avoidable illnesses.

He also stressed that public awareness must be matched by accessible, affordable and effective healthcare services.

According to the minister, awareness campaigns alone would not produce the desired outcomes if people could not access screening, obtain appropriate treatment or receive safe and respectful care.

He called for stronger collaboration among families, schools, workplaces, traditional and religious institutions, the media, civil society organisations, development partners and the private sector to promote healthy diets, physical activity, good hygiene, mental wellbeing, vaccination and appropriate screening.

He also urged stakeholders to address misinformation and harmful health practices.

The minister further called on all levels of government to integrate health promotion into routine primary healthcare, community engagement and development planning to ensure that vulnerable and underserved populations were not left behind.

He urged Nigerians to embrace the campaign slogan, “Take Charge, Live Well,” by seeking credible health information, understanding their health risks, participating in recommended screening and immunisation programmes, and seeking medical attention promptly when necessary.

Stakeholders pledge support

In their goodwill messages, development partners and civil society organisations reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in advancing health promotion.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNDP) representative, Olukunle Omotoso, emphasised the importance of community engagement, health literacy, gender equality and access to sexual and reproductive health services, particularly for women and young people.

CARE International, represented by Oluloto Ebenezer, also pledged continued support for initiatives aimed at promoting positive health-related behavioural changes at the community level.

Similarly, the Africa Health Budget Network highlighted the importance of family planning, healthy nutrition and routine screening for hypertension and diabetes.

The Permanent Secretary, Ms Kachollom, encouraged participants to take advantage of screening services provided at the event to promote early disease detection and encourage greater responsibility for personal health.

Nigeria’s maternal and newborn mortality burden

The latest figures come against the backdrop of Nigeria’s high burden of maternal and newborn deaths.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Nigeria recorded a maternal mortality ratio of 1,047 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020.

In its 2023 report, titled “Improving Maternal and Newborn Health and Survival and Reducing Stillbirths: Progress Report 2023,” WHO estimated that Nigeria recorded 82,000 maternal deaths, 181,000 stillbirths and 277,000 neonatal deaths in 2020.

The combined 540,000 deaths accounted for 12 per cent of global maternal, stillbirth and neonatal deaths, despite Nigeria contributing only six per cent of the world’s live births.

The report ranked Nigeria second after India among the countries with the highest combined burden of maternal deaths, stillbirths and neonatal deaths.