Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), in partnership with Reckitt, a leading health company, and disability activist Oscar Anderson, has launched “Project Oscar – Light for Life” to combat neonatal jaundice in Nigeria.
This initiative aims to address the significant public health challenge of neonatal jaundice, which affects a substantial number of newborns in the country.
“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,” said Akbar Shah, General Manager of Reckitt Sub-Saharan Africa. “As Nigeria stands among the nations most affected by neonatal jaundice, expanding Project Oscar to Nigeria represents a transformative step forward.”
“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,” emphasized Toyin Saraki, Founder and President of WBFA. “This initiative is a step towards equity and justice for affected families.”
Project Oscar will focus on equipping hospitals with phototherapy units and bilirubinometers for early diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, the program will include comprehensive training sessions for healthcare workers and awareness campaigns to educate the public about neonatal jaundice and its consequences.
Disability activist Oscar Anderson, whose personal experience with neonatal jaundice inspired the project, expressed his commitment to ensuring that no child suffers as he did. “This project was born out of my determination to ensure that no child or parent has to endure what my family went through,” Anderson said.
Prof. Akin Abayomi, Commissioner for Health in Lagos State, representing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described Project Oscar as a “much-needed advancement” in preventing neonatal jaundice and eradicating kernicterus.
Since its inception in Vietnam in 2019, Project Oscar has successfully treated over 150,000 newborns. The initiative aims to replicate its success in Nigeria and contribute significantly to reducing neonatal mortality rates in the country.
This collaborative effort between WBFA, Reckitt, and disability activists underscores the importance of public-private partnerships and community engagement in addressing critical public health challenges.
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