By Ikechukwu Odu

Enugu – A University don and renowned Paediatrician at the Enugu State University College of Medicine (ESUCOM), Professor Ikenna Ndu has revealed that many newborns fail to survive their first month due to preventable causes such as prematurity, birth asphyxia, and infections.

He also noted that children under the age of five continue to die from avoidable illnesses including malaria, pneumonia, diarrhea, malnutrition, sepsis and other conditions that can be effectively managed with timely intervention.

Professor Ndu made these revelations while delivering the 47th Inaugural Lecture of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), titled “From Cradle to Crisis: Advancing Paediatric Survival in Our Challenged Healthcare Landscape.” The lecture was held at a packed auditorium of the ESUT College of Medicine, Park Lane, Enugu, on Thursday, May 29, 2025.

He emphasized that the causes of neonatal and childhood mortality are not only preventable but also predictable and manageable if addressed promptly and effectively.

Professor Ndu further attributed the worsening child survival rates to delays in seeking medical care, poor policy implementation, inefficiencies within the health system, and financial barriers.

He highlighted that rural and underserved populations bear the brunt of these challenges, with limited access to skilled birth attendants, neonatal intensive care units, paediatric emergency services, and life-saving interventions.

“The persistence of common causes of childhood mortality remains an urgent concern—neonatal deaths from asphyxia, sepsis, and prematurity; under-five deaths from pneumonia, malaria, and diarrhea; and emergency room fatalities from preventable conditions all call for sustained efforts in maternal and child healthcare,” he said.

Despite the constraints in resources, he observed that advancements in neonatal and paediatric emergency care in Nigeria show that significant improvements are possible through strategic innovation, local adaptation, and strong commitment.

He also pointed out the stark disparities between Nigeria and developed nations in paediatric emergency care, survival outcomes, and healthcare infrastructure. This, he said, underscores the urgent need for equity-focused policies and the implementation of scalable, cost-effective interventions.

“Emerging technologies such as AI-driven diagnostics, predictive modeling, and personalized treatment are poised to transform child healthcare, much like gene therapy is redefining treatments for genetic disorders. Equipping paediatricians with these modern tools will be crucial,” he stated.

In his address, the Vice Chancellor of ESUT, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, encouraged the university’s professors to cultivate strong mentorship capacities, noting that such efforts will create enduring value in the academic system.

He reiterated the need to discourage merchandising of core academic activities including Inaugural Lectures in the University in order to save the image, sanctity and respect of the Ivory Tower, emphasizing that “money is not everything.”

Also speaking, the Chairman of the ESUT Inaugural Lectures Committee, Professor Mellitus Ezeamaenyi, congratulated Professor Ndu and remarked that frequent academic events like inaugural lectures have significantly boosted the university’s visibility and improved its webometric rankings.