Nigeria’s under-5 deaths drop – Survey
The number of children that died before reaching the age of 5 has dropped to 110 per 1,000, the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, 2023-24 has shown. The survey stated the figure reduced from 132 per 1,000 children in 2018 survey. According to the survey, which was released on Friday by the Minister of State […]
The number of children that died before reaching the age of 5 has dropped to 110 per 1,000, the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, 2023-24 has shown.
The survey stated the figure reduced from 132 per 1,000 children in 2018 survey.
According to the survey, which was released on Friday by the Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, the rates were estimated directly from information collected as part of a retrospective pregnancy history in which female respondents listed all of the children to whom they have given birth, along with each child’s date of birth, survivorship status and current age or age at death.
It added that during the five years immediately preceding the survey, the neonatal mortality rate was 41 deaths per 1,000 live births.
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“This means that approximately, one out of every 25 infants dies within the first month of life,” it stated.
It added that the infant mortality rate was 63 deaths per 1,000 live births, meaning that one out of every 16 children dies in the first year of life.
“The under-5 mortality rate was 110 deaths per 1,000 live births. This means that one out of every 9 children dies before their fifth birthday.
“Among the states, Kano had the highest neonatal mortality rate (59 deaths per 1,000 live births), Kebbi had the highest postneonatal (41 deaths per 1,000 live births) and infant (90 deaths per 1,000 live births) mortality rates, Yobe had the highest child mortality rate (96 deaths per 1,000 live births), and Jigawa had the highest under-5 mortality rate (161 deaths per 1,000 live births).
Speaking on the survey, Salako said it showed priority gaps that require urgent and coordinated responses.
“These findings will be translated into policy change and programme action. Hence as a country we will continue to strengthen the health system across all levels towards addressing the noted gaps for better health outcomes,” he added.
On his part, the chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Nasir Isah Kwarra, said the completion of the report demonstrated what is possible when institutions and partners work with a shared vision to strengthen Nigeria’s data systems, ensure accountability in the use of public resources and build a stronger foundation for national development planning.