The Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN) has sounded a fresh warning over the worsening state of child health in the country, highlighting preventable diseases, malnutrition, and rising neonatal deaths as persistent threats to the lives of thousands of young Nigerians.
Speaking at a press briefing ahead of the association’s 57th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference on Tuesday in Abeokuta, PAN President, Dr. Ekanem Ekure, revealed that over 800 Nigerian families lose a newborn every day, with the majority of these fatalities preventable through basic healthcare interventions.
Ekure described the situation as deeply troubling, noting that Nigeria remains far behind in meeting the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG-3), particularly in reducing neonatal and under-five mortality rates.
She described the crisis as a national emergency that requires urgent political will, increased healthcare funding, and strategic deployment of technology to strengthen maternal and child health services.
According to the PAN president, malnutrition contributes to nearly half of child deaths in Nigeria, leaving children more vulnerable to infections and health complications that could otherwise be managed effectively.
She further identified vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, poverty, insecurity, and weak health financing as major drivers of the country’s high burden of preventable child deaths.
“Recent outbreaks of diseases such as measles reflect global trends where immunisation coverage has declined,” Ekure said.
She urged governments at all levels to prioritise routine immunisation and child nutrition programmes, stressing that vaccines remain one of the most cost-effective tools in public health.
The PAN president also called on media organisations to intensify public education on immunisation, describing journalists as key partners in protecting children’s lives and shaping public perception through accurate reporting.
In a move to strengthen advocacy efforts, PAN paid a courtesy visit to former President Olusegun Obasanjo at his residence in the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta.
The association appealed to the former leader to become a national advocate for child health and nutrition.
Responding to the request, Obasanjo accepted the role, pledging to leverage his experience and influence to promote better child healthcare policies across the country.
“Even though I no longer have young children under my care, the wellbeing of Nigerian children remains a national responsibility,” he said.
The association’s intervention underscores the urgent need for coordinated action from government, civil society, and the media to halt the preventable loss of young lives and ensure a healthier future for Nigeria’s children.
