By Muhammad Jamil Abubakar
In Gombe State, child mortality remains a heartbreaking reality, with children under five facing immense survival challenges.
Recent data from National Demographic and Health Survey highlights concerning statistics: Nigeria’s under-five mortality rate is 110 deaths per 1,000 live births, and neonatal deaths remain at 41 per 1,000 live births in many states, including Gombe.
Behind these numbers are systemic drivers that perpetuate this crisis.
In Shongo community, located within the sandy terrain of Akko Local Government Area in Gombe State, mothers like Aishatu Abdulqadir, and Saratu Buba, bear the pains of the devastating health challenges that claim young lives.
Yet, amid the despair, there is a glimmer of hope brought by efforts from the Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency and United Nations Children’s Fund.
Saratu Buba, a mother of five, knows the pain of losing a child all too well.
Four of her children succumbed to preventable diseases like pneumonia and diarrhea.
Saratu recounts the challenges of accessing healthcare in Shongo, where the sandy terrain makes transportation costly and unreliable.
“Sometimes, I don’t have money for transportation or to buy the drugs prescribed for my children,” she laments.
Shongo Primary Health Care Facility, where community health workers Juliana Lamido, and Dahiru Sani, work tirelessly, faces similar hurdles.
“Malaria, diarrhea, malnutrition, pneumonia, and cholera are the most common illnesses here,” says Juliana.
With limited staff, inadequate medications, and essential equipment, their capacity to cater to the large population is inadequate.
Despite these struggles, significant strides have been made to reduce child mortality in Gombe.
According to Amina Nuhu, Deputy State Maternal and Child Health Coordinator at GSPHCDA, the leading causes of child mortality birth asphyxia, infections linked to home deliveries, and preventable diseases—are being systematically addressed.
“Immunisation plays a crucial role in protecting children from childhood killer diseases such as tuberculosis, diphtheria, and tetanus,” says Amina.
With support from UNICEF, Gombe has strengthened immunization campaigns, ensuring vaccines are consistently available even in hard-to-reach areas.
Furthermore, initiatives like training health workers on safe delivery practices and child nutrition, and providing therapeutic foods for malnourished children, have brought relief to families like Aishatu’s.
“The vaccines and counseling sessions have really helped our children grow healthier,” Aishatu acknowledges.
Community leaders in Shongo have joined hands with health workers to combat child mortality.
Programs like Mama2Mama, supported by UNICEF, engage women in mobilising pregnant and lactating mothers to seek immunizations, counselling, and antenatal care.
However, challenges remain, especially the shortage of health personnel and the need for better-equipped facilities.
Health workers like Juliana and Dahiru stress the need for government intervention.
“Parents need more support, Medicines and transportation are major barriers,” they explain, advocating for improved logistics, staffing, and resources.
The plight of mothers like Saratu and the dedication of health workers in Shongo underline the urgent need for systemic change.
The Gombe State Government, in partnership with development organisations, must Ensure that health facilities in rural areas are equipped with adequate medications, equipment, and transport services, recruit and retain skilled healthcare workers to serve underserved communities and to foster grassroots engagement and education on child health.
No mother should endure the heartbreak of losing a child to preventable causes.
By investing in healthcare and empowering communities, Gombe State can build a future where children thrive, and mothers like Saratu and Aishatu can embrace their roles with hope and joy.
