Medical experts have urged pregnant women to begin antenatal care early and adopt preventive health measures to reduce the risk of premature births, while calling on governments to expand health insurance coverage for newborns.
A consultant paediatrician and neonatologist at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, Dr Yasangra-Rabo Adeniji, said early detection and treatment of pregnancy-related complications could improve outcomes for mothers and babies.
She spoke during a media dialogue in Gombe organised by the Paediatric Association of Nigeria in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund Bauchi Field Office to mark World Prematurity Day.
Adeniji identified pregnancy-related hypertension, malaria, infections and anaemia among the risk factors that could contribute to premature delivery, noting that some were preventable or manageable through timely medical intervention.
“Some of the risk factors for preterm delivery are modifiable. When you work on them, you are likely to reduce the chances of having a preterm baby,” she said.
She advised women with a history of pregnancy-related hypertension or a family history of the condition to register for antenatal care early so healthcare providers could assess their risks and recommend preventive treatment.
The specialist also recommended the use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, appropriate antenatal medication and improved nutrition to reduce malaria-related risks.
She said women with cervical incompetence could benefit from cervical cerclage, a procedure in which the cervix is supported to prevent premature opening.
However, she noted that some causes of prematurity, including certain foetal abnormalities and multiple pregnancies, might not be preventable.
Adeniji also raised concerns about multiple pregnancies associated with assisted reproductive techniques, explaining that carrying more than one baby increased the likelihood of premature delivery.
Newborns need independent health insurance
The neonatologist called for stronger universal health coverage that would allow newborns to have health insurance in their own right, rather than relying solely on their mothers’ enrolment status.
“We don’t see newborns as human beings that have a name and should have insurance in their own right, not linked to their mothers,” she said.
According to her, a newborn could face difficulties accessing insurance-supported treatment when the mother was not enrolled in a health insurance scheme.
She acknowledged existing social health insurance and other support arrangements but said gaps remained, particularly for families whose premature babies required prolonged hospitalisation and specialised care.
“If you have a baby, even if it is a term baby, it is challenging. Imagine if it is a preterm baby and the baby has to stay in the hospital sometimes for two months,” she said.
Adeniji urged development partners to sustain support for prematurity awareness, healthcare training and knowledge-sharing programmes. She also called on the media to educate the public about the causes, treatment and misconceptions surrounding premature births.
She encouraged parents of premature babies to share their experiences with other families, saying peer support could help mothers cope with prolonged hospital stays and follow medical advice, including expressing breast milk.
“This is a fight that we can’t fight alone. We need everyone to help us,” she said.
UNICEF trains health workers
Also speaking, UNICEF Public Health Specialist, Dr Oluseyi Olosunde, said the organisation had trained more than 104 health workers over the past three years to improve newborn survival.
He said UNICEF was also supporting awareness campaigns and community engagement to help families understand the risks associated with premature births.
Olosunde added that the organisation had supplied oxygen to several states, describing it as essential for the treatment of vulnerable newborns.
He pledged UNICEF’s continued support for government and healthcare institutions to reduce neonatal deaths.
Hospital strengthens premature baby care
The Matron of the Special Care Baby Unit at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, Olanike Olabode, said educating mothers about premature births was critical to improving survival rates.
She explained that some mothers became frustrated when their babies required weeks of hospital care, especially when they had expected to return home shortly after delivery.
Olabode said medical personnel routinely counselled parents to understand the special needs of premature babies and cooperate with treatment plans.
She noted that anxiety could affect mothers’ ability to express breast milk, making reassurance and continued support important during admission.
The matron said the hospital had more than 10 incubators, alongside continuous positive airway pressure machines and oxygen supplies for babies experiencing breathing difficulties.
She credited improvements in facilities, staffing and support arrangements, including the Social Health Insurance Scheme and the National Agency for Maternal and Child Health Support, with easing access to treatment, particularly during the first 48 hours of admission.
Olabode recalled that the unit had previously recorded as many as seven deaths in a week during some periods but said outcomes had improved significantly.
“Recently, in a month, we had zero mortalities. Yes, of all preterm babies. If we have any at all, maybe one in 10 or so. We have been doing very, very well,” she said.
She added that the hospital had deployed paediatric nurses across relevant units and installed generator and solar power systems connected to the Special Care Baby Unit to keep essential equipment running during electricity interruptions.
