UNICEF Donates Ultra Modern Neonatal Equipment to Rivers

Blessing Ibunge

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with the Child Rights Information Bureau (CRIB) of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation has donated ultra-modern neonatal equipment to the Rivers State government.

Among the neonatal equipment are the nasal oxygen cannulas, baby curts, resuscitators, oxygen concentrators, incubators and 200 oxygen cylinders for the hospital oxygen plant among others.

This gesture was the highlight at the two-day workshop for health correspondents on the Care of Small and Sick Newborns, Oxygen availability and the introduction of the Human Papillomavirus vaccine in Nigeria, held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Taking delivery of the equipment at the General Hospital Eleme, the Reproductive Health Coordinator of the Ministry of Health, Rivers State, Dr Itoro Smith said the equipment would enhance healthcare delivery in the state and help to reduce maternal mortality rate.

While describing the gesture by UNICEF as a kind intervention, Smith assured the organisations that it would be maintained.

She also promised that Rivers people would have timely, wonderful access and quality healthcare, especially concerning neonatal care.

The health coordinator is confident that the equipment would improve healthcare services in over five LGAs of the state.

She said it would attract medical personnel from outside to access some of the equipment to advance their skill training, especially in neonatal healthcare.

“This unit is a paramount addition to the hospital along with the Oxygen Plant. UNICEF ensured with their support that we get this thing off the ground.

“It’s well equipped. I am holding a Preterm Natalie. It is used for training, is a Preterm Newborn Simulator,” she clarified.

She lamented how over the years, they complained about the death of children and babies. “We are having stillbirths majorly due to various reasons. We have medical reasons, social reasons and accessibility control.”

She listed General Hospital Okrika, General Hospital Bori, and Ogu/Bolo, which are not yet Primary Healthcare Centres, receiving between 600 and 1000 children on a monthly to quarterly basis.

She, however, commended UNICEF for their continued support over the years. “I mean, this is not just the only thing that UNICEF has done for the state.

“We want to applaud their consistent support to the Rivers State government and we hope that this will not be the end.”

Earlier, in his remarks, the Chief of Rivers Field Office with UNICEF, Anslem Audi outlined the need for synergy.

“The reason UNICEF is collaborating with the state government is to ensure that oxygen is available when needed,” he added.

Audi is confident that the availability of oxygen would reduce the mortality rate within the healthcare system in the state.