Kano leads in under-5 Mortality Rate

Kano State has the highest percentage of under-five childhood mortality rate from pneumonia in the North West geo-polotical zone, and 15 per cent under-five diarrhoea mortality rate, a figure that is far higher than the national average of nine per cent.

Referring to the most recent study by the Nigerian Demographic Health Survey (NDHS 2013), the Programme Officer of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria and Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PSN-PACFAH), Mr. David Akpotor, said all hands must be on deck to check the menace.

He made the call during an advocacy visit to the Kano tate Commissioner of Health, Dr. Kabiru Ibrahim Getso, by the coalition of Civil Society organisations against childhood killer diseases of Pneumonia and Diarrhoea.

Akpotor urged that, “To properly address these issues, global and national guidelines, which recommend the adoption and implementation of Amozicillin DT and Zn-LO-ORS as First Line Treatment for Childhood Pneumonia and Diarrhoea respectively should be implemented.”

According to him, the study shows that in Kano State, annual live-birth was 575,000, out of which 101,000 die before their fifth birthday. Also, for every 1,000 live-birth, 185 die before the fifth birthday. The report revealed that the state’s current under-5 mortality rate per 1,000 live-birth is 185.

“Most of the deaths are from preventable and treatable diseases, such as Malaria, Pneumonia and Diarrhoea. The survey shows that Pneumonia accounts for 14 and 15 per cent respectively, of the under-5 mortality rate in Kano State,” he elaborated.

The advocacy requested that, “There is the need for the state to develop Standard Treatment Guidelines. Kaduna State among other states has developed theirs since 2012. The new STG should also have the Pneumonia and Diarrhoea recommendations. “

In his remarks, Getso assured that government will take all necessary steps to decrease morbidity and mortality rates in the state.

He added that government was joining hands with Gates and Melinda Foundation in taming the deadly diseases of Pneumonia and Diarrhoea.

About The Nigerian Blogger

This is a short description in the author block about the author. You edit it by entering text in the "Biographical Info" field in the user admin panel.