Usually, the immediate caregivers of children are their mothers and it has been shown that the survival of children is dependent on the survival of t… - Adenike Grange

Unfortunately, the current participation of young mothers as co-breadwinners has often led to the restriction of the time devoted to what is usually considered as their primary responsibility. This calls for greater flexibility in task sharing between couples especially in parenting. Of course, in polygamous relationships the arrangements could be even more complex. Whatever be the case, the Convention on the Rights of the Child to which Nigeria is a signatory stipulates that the welfare of the child must be the first consideration and decisions taken at all levels must be in the best interest of the child.

It is important to note that fever, cough and diarrhoea are the three commonest symptoms of illnesses in young children under two years of age. These children, because of their immaturity and low immunity are prone to infections of all types including bacterial, viral, parasitic and fungal infections. About eighty percent of children seen in the children’s emergency ward are suffering from infections of various types and their complications.

Over the years effective policies and programmes for establishment of Primary, secondary and tertiary facilities and institutions have been formulated to combat all health needs of the people but lack of efficient management has reduced the exercise to below average.