Unlike babies in developed countries, many babies in Africa are confronted with the challenge of undernourishment, malnutrition, insufficiencies, inadequate attention and insecurity right from birth. This nauseating condition in Africa has triggered a new kind of attention that is synergistic, connective, communicative and all-embracing.
In recognition of these problems, N-HANSA, a non-governmental organisation is now giving these babies a new lease of life through the African International Baby Exhibition which has been designed as an intervention plan to get the best for infants in a bid to reduce maternal mortality in Africa.
In an interview with BusinessDay, Consultant of Enhancer Exhibition Services, Oscar Odiboh during the unveiling of the project in Lagos recently said the exhibition, which is first of its kind, is a strategic regional partnership with the University Teaching Hospitals in Port Harcourt, Abuja and Lagos.
Giving insight into the programme billed to hold March 2011, Odiboh bemoaned the plight of care babies in Africa are faced with when compared to developed countries.
According to the consultant,” some societal practices does not adhere to guidelines on newborn care. Some of these babies born suffer from hypothermia (extreme cold), because they are bathed immediately after birth. This is very risky as these babies may die, develop pneumonia, feeds less and the amount of glucose or sugar in the blood decreases. This affects the baby's brain and increases risk of infection.
We know that the best place for a child is with a family. Even the best institution, with well-trained housemothers, will fall short of the love and nurturing a child finds with a caring parent. All hands should be on deck to ensure that care is given to babies at their infancy stage so as to reduce the rising rates of maternal and child deaths.”
The 2011 African Baby Exhibition tagged ‘AFRIBABY’ is expected to bring together the private bodies, organisations, professionals that focus on care of infants. The exhibition is to provide a platform for generating and disseminating the latest information through interactive discourses on the survival of new births, maternal joy, protection of lives and provision for the growth of babies in Africa.
For Olayinka Odiboh, Executive Director, N-HANSA, “the exhibition is geared towards raising awareness on adoption and misconception of the motherless babies homes and other issues such as stealing, selling, swapping and trafficking of babies in hospitals as recorded by the security agencies and media. This no doubt has become a subject of concern for years now as enormous pressure is on government agencies to curb the menace.”
It is believed that the programme would create a sustainable way to help motherless babies’ homes get sponsorship by creating massive awareness for them. The fair will also features symposium on the challenges of baby care, training of nannies by nutritionists, as well as free pregnancy and eye tests.
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