Newborn mortality rates in sub-Saharan Africa could see a significant decrease by implementing homegrown technologies on a national level, according to a thorough review of 32 years of research.
The study, headed by Professor Hippolite Amadi from Imperial College London, highlights that Nigeria’s own innovations and technological developments over the last 30 years have been largely neglected by decision-makers.
The researchers emphasize that many newborns in Nigeria, who are defined as infants in their first 28 days of life, succumb to preventable causes, due to the lack of adoption of recent medical advancements developed within the country.
The team, led by Professor Amadi from Imperial’s Department of Bioengineering, who was awarded the Nigeria Prize for Science (NPS) in 2023, suggests that the failure to promote and implement these effective treatments outside of Nigeria’s larger cities may help explain the nation’s persistently high rates of infant mortality.
Statistics from the World Health Organization reveal that approximately 6,500 newborns die globally each day, with sub-Saharan Africa having the highest rate of neonatal deaths in the world, at 27 deaths for every 1,000 live births.
Furthermore, a newborn in sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, is 11 times more likely to die within their first month compared to a newborn in Australia and New Zealand, where mortality rates are the lowest.
Professor Amadi, who received the NPS for his efforts in developing affordable newborn care systems in Nigeria, stated: “Nigeria has the potential to significantly decrease its infant mortality rates. We already have the requisite knowledge and technology rooted in years of local research and ingenuity.
“What is needed now is effective policies and leadership to bring about these necessary improvements in areas that require them most, allowing us to lower the rising numbers of infant deaths in the nation.”
The findings of this review are published in Frontiers in Pediatrics.
“Transformational Science”
In recent years, Nigerian clinicians and researchers have introduced various cost-effective advancements in neonatal care. These include adaptive care plans for premature infants, cutting-edge respiratory support for low-birth-weight newborns, and solar-powered intensive phototherapy devices for treating neonatal jaundice.
However, these essential neonatal care services are primarily accessible in major urban areas, where most neonatal units are situated, making it challenging for those in rural regions to receive care. The researchers suggest that it is crucial for policymakers to amplify and integrate these strategies on a national scale.
For this analysis, the researchers reviewed 4,286 studies to identify potential strategies or interventions with the aim of lowering infant mortality.
Nineteen of those studies focused specifically on strategies to tackle neonatal mortality. Out of these, fourteen showed significant positive outcomes during their trials and subsequent implementation in hospitals. Nevertheless, none of these methods were adopted on a national level, resulting in inadequate access to these life-saving interventions for newborns, as per the researchers’ findings.
The researchers argue that Nigeria serves as a valuable case study, applicable to many other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) experiencing similarly high rates of mortality and morbidity, particularly within West Africa. Professor Amadi remarked: “All low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) must look internally to fortify and utilize their existing resources.
“The ongoing failure of Nigeria’s healthcare system to safeguard newborns appears to have become entrenched, leading to significant strain on healthcare providers and an unfortunate status quo. Nations like Nigeria and others within the LMIC category already have groundbreaking science and technology available to significantly reduce newborn mortality. It’s now up to policymakers to elevate these innovations for national application and enhance infant survival rates.”
