The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has called on the Nigerian government to place greater priority on interventions that will improve child survival, especially access to medical oxygen.
UNICEF made the appeal through its Health Specialist in Nigeria, Dr Fatima Cheshi, during the ongoing 4th National Oxygen Coordination Meeting in Abuja, organised by the Federal Government alongside development partners.
Cheshi stressed that child survival remains a major focus of UNICEF’s work, adding that the organisation will continue supporting programmes aimed at improving health outcomes for Nigerian children.
She warned that untreated hypoxia — low oxygen levels in the blood — can lead to death or lifelong health complications in children, making oxygen therapy critical in treating severe childhood illnesses.
“Untreated hypoxia in children can lead to death or lifelong complications, which underscores the importance of sustained interventions,” she said.
She also emphasised the need for children to be fully included in national oxygen planning, noting that many childhood conditions, including pneumonia, depend on timely access to oxygen.
Cheshi praised some states for taking more responsibility for UNICEF-supported health projects and urged stakeholders at the meeting to ensure discussions result in long-term solutions.
“Sustainability is coming closer and closer, and UNICEF is grateful for this. Let our conversations ensure children are fully included in oxygen planning,” she added.
Meanwhile, the Technical Director of the EPIC Project at FHI 360, Kenny Ewulum, highlighted the role of international support, particularly from the United States Government, in expanding oxygen systems across Nigeria.
He said efforts increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the development of liquid oxygen systems in several health facilities.
“The U.S. government joined in funding oxygen systems for Nigeria, particularly liquid oxygen expansion, and we have moved to about 13 sites at the moment,” Ewulum said.
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He expressed hope that the three-day meeting would produce concrete results that will strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Medical experts have repeatedly warned that pneumonia remains one of the leading causes of death among children under five in Nigeria, with many deaths preventable through proper access to oxygen therapy.
Over the years, the Federal Government, UNICEF and other partners have worked to improve oxygen infrastructure in hospitals, including the installation of oxygen plants powered by solar microgrids.
The Federal Ministry of Health has also introduced the National Strategy for the Scale-Up of Medical Oxygen in Nigeria (2023–2027) to expand access and reduce child mortality nationwide.
