Firms partner to combat neonatal jaundice condition

Reckitt, a global firm engaged in health, hygiene, and nutrition, has partnered with Oscar Anderson, and the Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA) to launch the Oscar ‘Light for Life’ initiative to combat neonatal jaundice (NNJ) condition in Nigeria.

The initiative, which focuses on neonatal jaundice screening, treatment, and kernicterus prevention, was launched in Lagos, coinciding with the global observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

The programme is designed to address the urgent challenges surrounding NNJ in Nigeria, a condition affecting approximately 60 per cent of term neonates and up to 100 per cent of preterm infants.

NNJ remains a leading cause of preventable brain damage, including conditions like kernicterus and cerebral palsy, despite the availability of effective and affordable treatments.

Challenges such as inadequate diagnostic tools, unreliable phototherapy equipment, and widespread misconceptions about the condition continue to hinder proper management.

The Project Oscar Light For Life seeks to close these gaps by providing healthcare facilities with essential tools, such as phototherapy units and bilirubinometers, ensuring accurate diagnoses and timely treatment.

The programme also includes training for healthcare professionals on recognising and managing NNJ and raising awareness among mothers and families to dispel common myths.

Originally launched in Vietnam by young disability activist Oscar Anderson and Reckitt, where it has treated over 150,000 newborns since 2019, as the programme is now expanding to Nigeria as part of a broader effort to reduce neonatal mortality and prevent lifelong disabilities.

The initiative aligns with global health priorities and seeks collaboration with international bodies, including the World Health Organization (WHO), to integrate NNJ management into global neonatal care guidelines.

Speaking at the event, General Manager, Reckitt Sub-Saharan Africa, Akbar Ali Shah, emphasised the urgent need for such an initiative, stating that every child deserves a healthy start in life, yet for many families, neonatal jaundice remains a silent threat—often going unnoticed and untreated until it’s too late.

Shah said that addressing the challenge demands more than just providing tools; it calls for steadfast commitment, robust partnerships, and comprehensive education.

Shah said: “With Project Oscar, we are bringing these critical elements together. As Nigeria stands among the nations most affected by neonatal jaundice, expanding Project Oscar to Nigeria represents a transformative step forward and we are determined to ensure this initiative creates a healthier, brighter future for every child born in Nigeria”.

Founder and President of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, Mrs Toyin Saraki, said that inclusion is not just a moral imperative but a necessity for sustainable progress and development.

She noted that neonatal jaundice if left untreated, it can lead to kernicterus, cerebral palsy, and other severe disabilities, contributing to as much as 5 to 14 per cent of neonatal deaths.

“The statistics are sobering, but they also call us to action. Today, as we nationally launch Project Oscar Light For Life, we confront this challenge with urgency and resolve, and the understanding that neonatal jaundice is not just a medical issue; it is a matter of equity and justice,” Saraki added.

Anderson, whose personal journey inspired the initiative, said the project was born out of his determination to ensure that no child or parent has to endure what his family went through. “I am excited to see this initiative, which began in my home country of Vietnam, now taking root in Nigeria, a nation where the need is greatest.”

“Neonatal jaundice should never be a cause of lifelong challenges. I cannot wait to see the lives we will change together in Nigeria and beyond, as we shine the light of hope and healing into communities that need it the most,” he added.

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, highlighted the transformative potential of Project Oscar in Lagos State. “It is remarkable how such a simple therapy can profoundly improve life quality when timely intervention is provided. Project Oscar is a much-needed advancement in our mission to prevent neonatal jaundice and eradicate kernicterus in Lagos and across Nigeria.”

He said Lagos is honoured to be the beneficiary of the transformative initiative and is committed to maximising its impact.

Sanwo-Olu called on stakeholders including healthcare providers, policymakers, and community leaders to join the cause for sustainable improvements in neonatal care.