Maternal And Neonatal Tetanus Elimination: a look at Nigeria

Although efforts have been made towards improving the health of children across the globe with notable results, maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT) remains a major contributor to the maternal and neonatal death rates in Nigeria and other developing countries. To achieve the global NNT elimination goal, it is paramount to establish the true prevalence of NNT as this enables the government and policy makers evaluate the successes made. NNT elimination could only be achieved by ensuring that women within the childbearing age are fully vaccinated with the tetanus toxoid, pregnant women are delivered by trained TBAs, and mothers of newborn children knows how to hygienically manage the umbilical of their newborn babies. Thus, government should ensure that the public health structures are strengthened, show increase commitment and scale-up activities. Additionally, voluntary community mobilizers should be engaged to address demand issues, and track and register pregnant women within the community, give incentives that attract caregivers to the health centers and also ensure the full implementation of the National Health Bill to guarantee sustained funding of the PHC.