By: Nzurumike Chimdiadi & Enem Remigus

The University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu, has organized a Neonatal Resuscitation Training to enhance the skills of health workers involved in the care of Pregnant Mothers and Newborns in the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital’s Rural Comprehensive Centre, RCHC, Obukpa.

Spearheaded by the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee and Director of Clinical Services & Training, Prof. Joy Eze, with robust support of the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Obinna Onodugo, the training focused on equipping doctors and nurses with essential skills in newborn care. These included assisting non-breathing Neonates, promoting warmth and breastfeeding, preventing infections, treating Mothers and Babies with respect, and maintaining accurate records for optimal care.

Speaking further on the importance of the training, the C(MAC), who is also a Professor of Pediatrics, said, “the UNTH Management under Prof. Onodugo initiated this training in line with its goal of bridging service gaps, by equipping her personnel with new techniques of handling neonates so as to reduce mortality.

More so in an environment where newborns die as a result of over dependence on unskilled Birth Attendants by Pregnant Mothers in rural areas, while avoiding such a standard facility as UNTH CHC Obukpa, where safe delivery of pregnant mothers and safe care of babies is assured.

We hope to extend similar gesture to other UNTH CHCs in the nearest future.
Going further, Prof. Eze said, “I am optimistic that the next stage of the training for CHC Obukpa, will involve the use of Incubators.

The one-day training, which was co-hosted by Dr Innocent Omeje, the principal medical officer in-charge of CHC Obukpa was delivered in sessions, with Prof. Kenechukwu Iloh; Professor of Pediatrics/ Consultant Neonatologist, UNTH and Dr. Somkene Okpala, Consultant Pediatrics, UNTH/ RCHC Obukpa, as trainers. Resuscitation kits, bags, face mask and a penguin suction were donated to the Centre at the end of the training.

The principal medical officer in-charge of the Centre, Dr Omeje was full of thanks to the Management for coming to their aid.