Neonatal disorders are the main causes of death in Nigeria, neonatal disorders are responsible for 12.25% of neonatal deaths. Malaria follows as the second leading cause of death with 12% of total deaths in Nigeria. Diarrheal diseases, lower respiratory infection, and HIV/AIDS follow with a percentage of 11.36%, 10.85%, and 5.18% respectively.
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Nigeria currently has the highest burden of malaria in the world. Nigeria also has the second-highest number of people living with HIV/AIDS globally and also accounts for 9% of the global HIV burden.
The National Health Day was celebrated on the 7th of April to bring awareness and attention to health globally. The theme this year was “Our Planet, Our health”, emphasising the interconnectivity of environmental and physical health.
Neonatal disorders have both physical and environmental drivers which include environmental contaminants that pose a threat to infant neurodevelopment. Malaria is also impacted by environmental factors as with diseases like Diarrhoea and lower respiratory infections. Interventions for reducing its occurrence or frequency must necessarily include both physical and environmental components.