Bridge Clinic supports LSMoH with neonatal equipment

By CHIOMA OBINNA

Survival of newborns in Lagos State hospitals has been strengthened with the Lagos State Ministry of Health taking delivery of 100 units of neonatal resuscitation equipment from The Bridge Clinic, Lagos.

The move is to stem the tide of newborn deaths from largely preventable causes such as respiratory distress due to acute respiratory tract infections and birth asphyxia, diarrheoa, measles, malaria and malnutrition.

Presenting the units to the State Commissioner of Health last week, Medical Director, The Bridge Clinic Lagos, Dr. Richardson Ajayi, said the gesture was aimed towards attaining the Millennium Development Goal, MDG, 4 which is the reduction, by two thirds, of child mortality by 2015.

Ajayi said birth asphyxia is one of the major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality adding that “the expediency of its management directly influences the quality of life of the child who is being managed.”

“Our desire is for our health systems especially our public health systems which largely cater for the masses to be adequately equipped to better manage the neonatal emergencies with the right equipment within the shortest time.”

In a response, Idris acknowledged that the presentation was timely. “What they are donating  are neonatal resuscitation equipment which are things we need much more than we have right now. It is a good gesture.

“There are a lot of challenges in the health sector.  It is unacceptable and that is why this government is investing so much.  And one major focus is reducing the maternal and child mortality rate.

“We have been trying our best so far in terms of infrastructure, human resources and we are even looking at healthcare financing. The resources are limited whoever show interest, will be appreciated,” he stated. The 100 resurcitation units are currently being utilised in Lagos State hospitals.