By: Lauretta Fagbohun, Abeokuta.

The Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN) has raised a fresh alarm over Nigeria’s worsening child health crisis, declaring that the country remains dangerously off-track in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG-3).

The associate also expressed concern over alarming increase in infant mortality rate in the country, wondering why more than 800 Nigerian families lose a newborn every day to largely preventable causes.

President of PAN, Dr. Ekanem Ekure, stated this in Abeokuta, Ogun state on Monday while addressing journalists at a press conference ahead of the 57th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Association (PANConf Gateway 2026) scheduled to hold in Abeokuta from January 21 to 23, 2026.

Speaking before members of the press, paediatricians, and stakeholders, the PAN President described Nigeria’s child health indicators as unacceptable for a country with the resources and knowledge to do better.

Ekure wondered why Nigerian children continue to die from malaria, pneumonia, diarrhoea, measles, diphtheria, and malnutrition, diseases the world already knows how to prevent and treat.

Her words “Why are more than 800 Nigerian families losing a newborn baby every single day, despite the fact that most of these deaths are preventable?” Ekure asked pointedly. “These are not rhetorical questions.

“Why do Nigerian children still die from illnesses the world already knows how to prevent?”. Why do we still have millions of zero-dose and under-immunised children, placing them at lifelong risk?”Ekure

She further lamented persistent inequities in access to healthcare, clean water, sanitation, education, and protection, particularly for rural, poor, and vulnerable children, warning that environmental hazards, insecurity, abuse, and displacement are increasingly threatening child survival and development.

According to her , inadequate and unsustainable public investment in child-focused programmes remains a major barrier to progress.

Against this backdrop, Dr. Ekure said the theme of PANConf Gateway 2026, “Achieving SDG-3 and Child Health Care through Innovative Funding Models and Technology-Driven Solutions”, is both deliberate and urgent.

“Technology is no longer a luxury; it is central to effective child healthcare delivery, digital tools can improve immunisation tracking, disease surveillance, telemedicine access, research, and accountability.

“Government spending on child health must increase but be complemented by innovative financing models such as public-private partnerships, blended financing, and outcome-based funding tied to measurable child health indicators.

“The answers lie in stronger political will, smarter financing, effective implementation, and accountability,” Ekure said.

Ekure also challenged the media to remain active partners in child health advocacy, noting their critical role in public education, behaviour change, and holding leaders accountable.