By Ewomazino Egbo
The Pediatric Department of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Asaba as part of efforts towards ending Neonatal Mortality and Infant Morbidity has organised a workshop tagged, “Helping Babies Breathe” for officer in charge of Primary healthcare centres in Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The Permanent Secretary in the State Primary Health Development Agency (DSPHCDA), represented by the Director, Community Health Services, Dr. Paul Yinkore, said the training would equip participants on modern resuscitation techniques.
He noted that Neonatal Asphyxia was a leading factor in Infant Mortality, adding that the training would enhance the knowledge of the participants and help to reduce Neonatal Asphyxia and Infant Mortality in the state.
Speaking on the objectives of the training, the Head of Pediatrics, at the FMB in Asaba and Consultant Neonatologist, Prof. Angela Okolo, said her department observed gaps in the referrals from primary health centres and decided to address the paucity of knowledge before referrals.
Prof. Okolo said “if babies do not breathe well, they would have slim chances of survival,” stressing that Neonatal Resuscitation skills were essential during childbirth as It would also reduce incidences of Birth Asphyxia and its attendant long-term effects on the newborn.
A corp member, Dr. Uyioghosa Ose-Aigbekaen, said the training and donation of medical equipment to Umuaji Primary Health Centre were parts of their Community Development Services.
She said Neonatal Asphyxia, which is also known as Birth Asphyxia, was the medical condition resulting from deprivation of oxygen to a newborn infant that lasted long enough during the birth process to cause physical harm, usually to the brain.