Aisha Buhari seeks urgent action on under-five deaths
Wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, has charged paediatricians to checkmate the rising cases of under-five deaths in the country.
Speaking, yesterday, in Abuja at the induction of 65 new paediatricians, Buhari, who was represented by wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Gimbya Dogara, noted that paediatricians must device innovative ways to ensure the survival of children.
She said: “Without the children, we would not have a future. The future of Nigeria would be scuttled without the wellbeing of our children. And to eradicate poverty, we have to take care of our children because if they are under attack by polio, I don’t think we will have a bright future to look at.”
She added: “Without your effort, the children of Africa and Nigeria would be nowhere. My prayer is that the work of all stakeholders that are here would be geared towards the success of our children. I call on all paediatricians to play their parts and do their best to care for the future of our children. You have been saddled with the responsibility to care for Nigerian children. Please, don’t abuse it.”
On her part, the President of Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN), Dr. Ngozi Ibeziako, disclosed that 40 per cent of under-five mortality rate occurs in the first month of delivery, adding that government has shown commitment by putting the matter on the front burner.
Ibeziako added: “We are making sure that vaccines are available. This involves the government, because we need the political will from them to make sure that vaccines are available, so that mothers can be encouraged to administer them and prevent diseases.”
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