10m Women Risk Maternal, Neonatal Tetanus In Nigeria

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) said yesterday that 10 million women of reproductive age in the country were at the risk of maternal and neonatal tetanus.
Deputy Director, Disease Control and Immunization, NPHCDA, Mrs Chinenye Ekpemauzor, said this in Lokoja, Kogi, at a media workshop on “Non-Polio Supplemental Immunization Activities” (NPSIAs).
In the paper titled “Overview of Planned NPSIAs Campaigns in Nigeria,” Ekpemauzor said that one child died from tetanus attack every nine minutes in the world.
“Today, 30 countries in the world out of which two-thirds, including Nigeria, are in Africa, are yet to be validated.
Globally, close to 100 million with of reproductive age are at the risk of maternal and neonatal tetanus.
“Nigeria contributes one of every 10 of the global burden,” she said, adding that the situation translated to 10 million women in reproductive age in Nigeria being at risk.
She said that tetanus, caused by “clostridium tetani bacteria”, was a common cause of maternal and neonatal deaths.
According to her, more cases are reported, especially in the villages where most women deliver in unhealthy environments.
The director explained that 142 neonatal cases were recorded in 23 states in the country in 2014.
She also said that the non-polio supplementary immunization scheduled to hold from October 17 to 26 and May 2015 had been divided into two categories.
“MenAfriVac will be administered on both genders within the ages of 1-29 against meningitis between October 17 and October 26while round one will be between September 17 and September 21, and round two, from October 17 to October 26,” she said.
A representation of World Health Organization (WHO), Mr Chima Onuekwe, called on the media to assist in clearing doubts, fear and anxiety over immunization activities in the country.
“The picture in our heads and the world outside is a product of the mass media. People attach importance to information based on the way the media put it,” he said, and appealed that the media should make health issues a priority.”