The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that 91% of women in Rivers State deliver with the aid of skilled birth attendants.
UNICEF Health Manager, Dr. Martin Dohlsten, revealed this on Tuesday in Port Harcourt during a media dialogue on neonatal healthcare, childhood illnesses, and vaccination.
Dohlsten further stated that, in contrast, only 46% of women across Nigeria overall deliver with the help of doctors, nurses, or midwives.
He stated that the country’s high maternal and neonatal death rates are dependent on skilled birth attendants presence during delivery.
He also disclosed that 32% of newborn deaths in Nigeria happens within the first 28 days of life, mostly due to premature birth or birth asphyxia. He added that, 79% of neonatal deaths arises from infections, prematurity, and asphyxia.