Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji on Friday commissioned a state-of-the-art Centre for Newborn Health Research and Innovation (CeNHRI) at the University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, describing the facility as a major milestone in his administration’s effort to improve maternal and newborn healthcare delivery in the State and the country at large.
Speaking while commissioning the facility, which is the first in Nigeria focusing solely on newborn, Governor Oyebanji said the centre would serve as a hub for cutting-edge research, innovation and clinical excellence aimed at addressing challenges associated with neonatal care and reduce infant mortality rate in the state and beyond.
Governor Oyebanji maintained that the facility reflects his government’s commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and reducing neonatal mortality, adding that the centre will serve as a platform for innovation, research, capacity building and evidence based healthcare intervention aimed at improving the survival and well-being of mothers and newborns.
Lamenting that thousands of African newborns die annually from preventable causes, particularly within the first few days, the Governor said the centre represents collective response to these challenges through science, innovation and collaboration.
According to him, the facility will serve as meeting point for researchers, clinicians, policymakers, development partners and communities to work together and develop practical solutions that save lives.
Governor Oyebanji said he was confident that the centre would soon produce ground breaking research, train future generation of healthcare professionals and influence healthcare policies.
He thanked the state’s development partners for their collaborations in advancing the health sector in the state.
“Today marks another significant milestone in our collective efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery, advance scientific knowledge, and improve the survival and well-being of mothers and newborns across Nigeria and the African continent.
“While this center is located in Ado Ekiti, the capital of the states, its mission extends far beyond our borders. The Center for Newborn Health Research and Innovation has been deliberately conceived as an african focused institutions that will generate knowledge, develop solutions, strengthen health systems and contribute meaningfully to remarkable reduction in neonatal mortality across the continent.”, he added
Earlier in his remarks, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Mohamed Ali Pate, who was represented by Dr Samuel Oyeniyi, commended Governor Oyebanji and the state government for the establishment of the centre, describing it as timely, strategic and transformative. He noted that the facility represents a bold step in the bid to strengthen healthcare delivery and improve outcomes for mother and newborn in Nigeria.
He said the facility reflects the growing recognition that Nigeria must not only consume global health knowledge but must also produce it.
The Minister added that the Federal Ministry of Health remains firmly committed to reducing neonatal mortality and ensuring that every Nigerian newborn has the opportunity to survive, thrive and reach full developmental potential
He expressed optimism that the centre would serve as a leading hub for research, innovation and collaboration, bringing together experts and stakeholders to generate evidence-based solutions needed to further advance newborn survival and strengthen healthcare across the country.
Also in his address, the Commissioner for Health and Human Service, Dr Oyebanji Filani thanked Governor Oyebanji for his commitment to strengthening the state’s healthcare system through strategic investment in infrastructure, research, and human capital development. He commended the Governor for his visionary and consistent support for initiatives aimed at improving maternal and newborn health outcomes in the state..
Describing the facility as a landmark achievement that reflects the Governor’s administration to position Ekiti as a centre of excellence in healthcare delivery, the Commissioner said the centre would not only enhance clinical practice and training but would also contribute significantly to reducing neonatal mortality and improve overall health outcome for mothers and children in the state and beyond
The Executive Director of the Centre for Newborn Health Research and Innovation (CeNHRI), Dr Olufunke BolajI, says the newly inaugurated centre will serve as a strategic response to Nigeria’s high rate of newborn mortality.
She described the unveiling of the centre as the beginning of a focused institutional effort aimed at tackling one of the country’s most pressing health challenges and improving survival outcomes for newborns.
According to her, Nigeria continues to bear one of the highest newborn mortality burdens globally, with about 280,000 babies dying annually before they have the opportunity to live and reach their full potential.
She explained that the deaths occur across delivery rooms, neonatal units, primary and secondary health facilities, communities and homes, stressing that each statistic represents a child, a family and healthcare workers struggling with limited resources.
