By Chioma OBINNA & GabrielOLAWALE

Unlike babies in developed countries, many babies in Africa suffer undernourishment, malnutrition, insufficiencies, inadequate attention and insecurity right from birth.  Most babies’ condition in Africa cries for a new kind of attention that is synergistic, connective, communicative and all-embracing.

In recognition of these problems,  N-HANSA, a non governmental organisation is now giving these babies a new lease of life through the African International Baby Exhibition designed as an intervention plan to get the best for babies and to reduce maternal mortality in Africa.

In a chat with Good Health Weekly  Director and Consultant of Enhancer Exhibition Services, Dr Olayinka Odiboh during the unveiling of the project in Nigeria said the exhibition which is first of it kind is a strategic regional partnership with the University Teaching Hospitals in Port Harcourt, Abuja and Lagos.

Giving insight into the programme, billed to hold March, 2011, Odiboh lamented the plight of babies in developing countries compared to developed countries, and advocated that all hands should be on deck to reduce the rising rates of maternal and child deaths

He said the 2011 African Baby Exhibition; tagged ‘Afribaby’ would bring together private bodies, organisations, professionals that have one thing or the other to do with babies top discuss on the way foward. He noted that though families in Nigeria try their best for babies, generally the babies are not getting the best.

According to him, “The exhibition will provide a platform for generating and disseminating the latest information through interactive discourses on the survival of new births, maternal joy, protection of lives and provision for the growth of babies in Africa.

It would raise awareness on  adoption and misconception of the motherless babies homes and other issues such as stealing, selling, swapping and trafficking of babies in hospitals as recorded by the security agencies and media, which has become a subject of concern for years as more pressure is mounted on government agencies to curb the menace. He said correction of this starts with active sensitisation.

The programme would create a sustainable way to  help the motherless babies’ homes to get sponsorship by creating massive awareness for them.

The fair will also feature a symposium that deals with issues and challenges of baby care, training of nannies by nutritionists, as well asfree pregnancy and eye tests. Smart parents stand the chance of smiling home with N1.0 million naira at a contest tagged “Where is daddy?”