Nigerian Journal of Perinatal and Neonatal Care

Editorial comment

Newborn care takes place across the 3 levels of health care in Nigeria. At the primary health care level, babies receive the minimum level of care designed for essentially healthy babies which includes making sure that the baby who has started breathing is kept dry and warm with skin contact with mother and
breast feeding is commenced within 60 minutes after which the baby receives normal preventive
interventions (cord care, vitamin K and prophylactic eye care). Babies with signs of illness or danger signs are identified and promptly referred to the secondary care levels for further care.

At the secondary level of care, both public and private health facilities are involved in neonatal care. Although private health practitioners engage in neonatal care, the extent to which they do this is limited by the cost of care and several other challenges. The lingering high mortality rate in Nigeria calls for collaboration between public and private practitioners in the newborn space.

In the current edition of NJPNC, Prof Akuse takes us though the current practice of neonatal care in private health facilities in the Northern part of Nigeria and the various challenges encountered on a regular basis. Suggestions for a more significant contribution of the private sector to neonatal care are made. This article makes an interesting read, in addition to the articles on neonatal sepsis from the Gambia and multiple gestation from the Southern part of Nigeria.

ISSN: 2971-7256