Foundation, Reckitt to tackle neonatal jaundice

Wellbeing Foundation Africa has partnered with Reckitt, a health company, and disability activist Oscar Anderson to launch ‘Project Oscar – Light for Life’ to combat neonatal jaundice in Nigeria.

According to a statement, WBFA and Reckitt unveiled the initiative during a recent event in Lagos to address the critical gaps in neonatal jaundice care affecting an estimated 60 per cent of term neonates and nearly all preterm infants in the country.

The General Manager of Reckitt Sub-Saharan Africa, Akbar Shah, highlighted the significance of the programme, noting, “Every child deserves a healthy start in life, yet for far too many families, neonatal jaundice remains a silent threat, often going unnoticed and untreated until it’s too late.

Shah added that expanding Project Oscar to Nigeria represents an opportunity to equip healthcare facilities, train professionals, and educate families: “As Nigeria stands among the nations most affected by neonatal jaundice, expanding Project Oscar to Nigeria represents a transformative step forward, and we are determined to ensure this initiative creates a healthier, brighter future for every child born in Nigeria.

Founder and President of WBFA, Toyin Saraki, underscored the urgency of addressing neonatal jaundice, stressing, “If left untreated, it (neonatal jaundice) can lead to kernicterus, cerebral palsy, and other severe disabilities, contributing to as much as 5 to 14 per cent of neonatal deaths.”

 Saraki described the initiative as a step towards equity and justice for affected families, remarking, “The statistics are sobering, but they also call us to action. Today, as we nationally launch Project Oscar—Light For Life, we confront this challenge with urgency and resolve and the understanding that neonatal jaundice is not just a medical issue but a matter of equity and justice.”

The programme seeks to provide hospitals with phototherapy units and bilirubinometers for early diagnosis and treatment. It also includes training sessions for healthcare workers and awareness campaigns to combat misconceptions about the condition.

Further, disability activist Anderson, whose personal experience with neonatal jaundice inspired the project, expressed his commitment to ensuring no child suffers as he did, adding, “This project was born out of my determination to ensure that no child or parent has to endure what my family went through.

“I am excited to see this initiative taking root in Nigeria.”

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, representing the state’s governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described Project Oscar as a “much-needed advancement” in preventing neonatal jaundice and eradicating kernicterus.

Project Oscar noted it has treated over 150,000 newborns since its inception in Vietnam in 2019 and worked to replicate its feats in Nigeria to reduce neonatal mortality.