Sarkin Gagi, Alhaji Umar Jabbi with his newborn baby. In his hand is a Chlorhexidine gel which is being applied on the boy's unbiblical cord area.
How A 'Magic' Ointment is Preventing Newborn Deaths in Nigeria
Chlorhexidine is an antiseptic gel that has been proven to reduce the incidence of neonatal mortality by about 23% when used in and around the umbilical cord of a newborn, writes Nigeria Health Watch. In traditionally conservative cultures, there is sometimes reluctance to accept new healthcare interventions. Yet, Chlorhexidine is being accepted in Sokoto State in Nigeria. The reason? The buy-in of a group of important gate-keepers; traditional and religious leaders.
Some of the mats bought by Gagi community for women who prefer to deliver on them.
16-month-old Habibu with his mother, who is the first of her children to use the chlorhexidine gel.
There are three major causes of neonatal mortality; infections, pre-term births, and birth asphyxia.
