THE University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) has reaffirmed its dedication to optimizing Pediatric Emergency Care, emphasizing the crucial role of prompt and effective intervention in managing acute Pediatric health crises.
A Pediatric Intensivist and Head of the hospital’s Pediatric Emergency Department, and Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee (Training & Monitoring UBTH), Dr. Eki-Udoko Fidelis Ewenitie, provided an overview of the current landscape of Pediatric emergencies within Nigeria, highlighting systemic challenges and hospital-driven Initiatives aimed at improving clinical outcomes.
He stated that Pediatric emergencies encompass a spectrum of life threatening conditions affecting children, including Infectious diseases such as Diarrhea, Pneumonia, and bacterial Meningitis, as well as noninfectious emergencies like Asthma exacerbations, seizures, convulsions, and traumatic injuries such as submersion incidents, falls, and vehicular accidents.
Dr. Fidelis underscored that immediate, evidencebased resuscitation and stabilization measures are pivotal in averting mortality and preventing long-term morbidity.
He revealed that UBTH’s Pediatric Emergency Ward manages approximately 6,000 cases annually, with a monthly caseload ranging from 400 to 600 children. “Data indicates that Pediatric Emergencies contribute to over 60% of childhood mortality at UBTH, with a significant proportion of cases arriving in critical states—often classified as “brought in dead”.
According to him, delayed health-seeking behavior, often compounded by limited Primary healthcare capacity, exacerbates case fatality rates. “Late referrals from peripheral health centers often result in children arriving with advanced complications, diminishing survival probabilities”.
Dr. Fidelis highlighted infrastructural and workforce challenges, including a decline in trained pediatric emergency specialists, inadequate diagnostic equipment, and insufficient resuscitation facilities, which compromise the hospital’s capacity to deliver lifesaving interventions.
He also advocated for Health System strengthening; this involves bolstering primary healthcare infrastructure, increasing funding for emergency diagnostic and therapeutic equipment, Standardizing Clinical Protocols, and Integrating Universal Health Coverage schemes to alleviate financial barriers and promote timely access.
He further urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant regarding early warning signs such as lethargy, respiratory difficulty, persistent fever, or convulsions, and to seek immediate medical evaluation.