NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR SCALE UP OF CHLORHEXIDINE IN NIGERIA
Strategy · Health
A Strategy scales up the use of chlorhexidine gel for newborn umbilical cord care in Nigeria to combat infections. It targets newborns, traditional birth attendants, and healthcare providers. This aims to lower newborn mortality from cord infections.
NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR SCALE UP OF CHLORHEXIDINE IN NIGERIA
What Is This Policy?
A national strategy to scale up the use of 7.2% chlorhexidine digluconate gel for umbilical cord care in newborns across Nigeria, targeting a major cause of newborn infection and mortality.
Who Does It Target?
Newborns, particularly those delivered outside health facilities Traditional birth attendants and community health workers Healthcare providers in primary, secondary, and tertiary facilities Mothers and caregivers of newborns
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
Reduce newborn mortality from umbilical cord infection (omphalitis) by ensuring universal access to and correct use of chlorhexidine for cord care in the first week of life.
Key Features
Product Availability: Ensures chlorhexidine gel is available at all public health facilities and community distribution points nationwide. Healthcare Worker Training: Trains all healthcare providers and community health workers on correct application of chlorhexidine to newborn umbilical cords. Community Mobilisation: Promotes awareness among families and caregivers about the benefits of chlorhexidine over traditional harmful cord care practices. Supply Chain Integration: Integrates chlorhexidine into the national essential medicines supply chain and reporting systems.
Current Status
Rollout Stage: Active - scaling up with UNICEF and donor support Coverage: Nationwide, with priority in high-burden states with low facility delivery rates Beneficiaries: Newborns and their families, particularly in rural and low-resource settings Funding: Federal Ministry of Health; UNICEF; bilateral donors
How to Access
Chlorhexidine available free of charge at government health facilities Traditional birth attendants trained to dispense to home-delivery newborns Caregivers instructed on single-application technique Application method: Access at any primary health centre or through trained community health workers.
Impact & Metrics
Projected to save thousands of newborn lives annually; demonstrated 23% reduction in newborn mortality in Nigeria trials.
Official Resources
Website: https://www.health.gov.ng Contact: Federal Ministry of Health - Newborn Health Programme
Legal Framework
Operates under the National Health Act 2014, the National Reproductive Health Policy, the Integrated Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Strategy, and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency Act. Draws on WHO and UNICEF guidelines on umbilical cord care with chlorhexidine as an evidence-based intervention to reduce neonatal mortality.