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Olaleye Aluko, Abuja
In a report released on Wednesday on the occasion of World Premature Day, a non-governmental organization, the Blue Baby Support Initiative, described Nigeria as the third country in the world where the number of premature births is the highest. .
The organization has set the number of premature births in Nigeria at 773,600, while China and India have 1,172, 300 and 3,519,100 premature births, respectively.
Noting that premature babies could have long-term health problems, Dania Ogieriakhi, founder of the initiative, at a meeting with reporters, described the premature birth as the only one in the world. one of the leading causes of death among children under five in the world.
"The World Prematurity Day aims to raise awareness of this serious health crisis. According to the World Health Organization, about 15 million babies are born each year before the 37 weeks of gestation and this number is increasing. Complications at premature birth are the leading cause of death in children under five.
"Three-quarters of these deaths could be prevented by current cost-effective interventions. More than 60% of premature births occur in Africa and South Asia. In low-income countries, 12% of babies are born too early.
"The 10 countries with the largest number of premature births are India, China, Nigeria, Pakistan, Indonesia, the United States of America and Bangladesh. Philippines, Democratic Republic of Congo and Brazil. "
Ogieriakhi called on stakeholders to devote more energy and resources to children's social welfare, including health care and quality education.
" We believe that Maternal and child material mortality and preventable unnecessary deaths can be kept to a minimum thanks to the collaboration of the government at all levels and the population, "she added.
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