Sodiq Ojuroungbe
As Nigeria continues to witness a surge in the number of babies dumped in unsanitary and unsightly areas in public places, experts have demanded an immediate policy reform aimed at tackling the alarming surge in cases of baby dumping, both dead and alive.
This distressing trend, the public health physicians argued, constitutes a grave violation of children’s rights and necessitates swift and decisive action to confront it.
Speaking exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise, the physicians noted that there is an urgent need for systemic changes to address the root causes of baby abandonment.
Recently, there has been a disturbing increase in the dumping of babies, deceased and alive.
On June 3, 2024, the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Nnaghe Itam, ordered an immediate investigation into the lifeless body of a newborn found in a sack near a refuse dump after Aroma Junction, along Ifite Road in Awka, the Anambra State capital.
The lifeless body of the day-old baby wrapped in old clothes was said to have been dumped alive apparently by its mother, who did not want it.
According to some of the residents, the newborn was heard crying for several hours in the night before the bag was found in the morning.
Similarly, on February 26, 2024, a premature baby was discovered dead in front of a female hostel at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt Rivers State.
It was gathered that the male child, who was covered with a cloth, was dropped by an unknown person.
Similarly, on January 23, 2024, the Ogun State Police Command arrested a 30-year-old mother, Olubunmi Ajayi for attempting to drown her five-month-old baby, Imole Anifowose in RSS river, Sagamu.
One Olusola Sonaya, who was around the river at the time, was reported to have assisted in rescuing the baby after being thrown into the water by the mother.
Reacting to the trend of baby dumping, experts noted that the health implications of this trend underscore the urgency of addressing not only the social and ethical dimensions but also the broader public health and environmental concerns at stake.
They stated that the factors driving this trend are multifaceted and include poverty, lack of support systems, and stigma surrounding unplanned pregnancies.
While stressing that there is a need to focus on prevention through comprehensive policy reform, the physicians said the country must strengthen social support networks for vulnerable families, increase access to reproductive health services, and provide education on safe options for unwanted pregnancies.
Speaking on this, a public health physician at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Ogun State State, Dr James Johnson said the lack of proper medical care and sanitation for abandoned babies, both alive and deceased, can exacerbate health risks.
He explained that infants left exposed to the elements are vulnerable to hypothermia, dehydration, and infections, which further compound the already dire situation.
According to him, the interconnected nature of health, social, and environmental issues underscores the need for a multifaceted approach to address baby abandonment comprehensively.
He stated that by addressing the root causes of infant abandonment and implementing measures to ensure proper disposal and care, communities can mitigate health risks and safeguard the well-being of all individuals involved.
The physician urged stakeholders to prioritise the well-being of infants and families while also considering the broader health and environmental implications of baby dumping.
Johnson highlighted the potential health risks associated with improper disposal of deceased infants, majorly among them contamination of water sources and the spread of diseases.
He further said, “The surge in cases of baby dumping, whether the infants are alive or deceased, is deeply concerning and demands our immediate attention. This trend not only represents a violation of children’s rights but also poses significant public health risks.
“Recent data has revealed a troubling increase in instances of baby dumping, with reports indicating a significant rise over the past year. Factors driving this trend are complex and multifaceted, including social stigma, poverty, and lack of access to reproductive health services.
“By prioritising the welfare of infants and families, we can work towards ensuring that no child is abandoned or left to suffer such a tragic fate.
“However, it is imperative that we also address the health implications of baby dumping, particularly in cases involving deceased infants.
“The abandonment of deceased infants in rivers not only endangers public health but also poses serious environmental concerns. The improper disposal of deceased infants can lead to contamination of water sources, posing a risk of waterborne diseases and environmental pollution.
“This not only endangers the health of communities living downstream but also threatens the delicate balance of aquatic ecosystems.”
The physician urged policymakers to consider a range of strategies to tackle the problem, including providing more accessible and affordable healthcare for families, improving education and awareness around child welfare, and implementing stricter penalties for those who throw infants in rivers.
He added, “We need a holistic approach that addresses the root causes of infant abandonment. This includes bolstering social safety nets, enhancing access to mental health resources for struggling parents, and implementing stricter measures to deter such acts.”
On his part, a Senior Registrar in the Department of Community Medicine and Primary Care at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Dr Solomon Olorunfemi said the government should implement punishment, including imprisonment to restrain women from dumping their babies in rivers or any other public places.
Olorunfemi stressed that while immediate interventions, such as rescue efforts and support services for affected families, are crucial, a more sustainable solution lies in comprehensive policy reform.
The physician also emphasised the need for a multifaceted approach to address the root causes of baby dumping.
“I think the government should empower women and improve girl child education. They also need to provide job opportunities for women.
“If a young woman gets pregnant before completing her education, she should be given the opportunity and support to continue her education afterwards instead of forgoing the education and end up becoming a liability in the community,” he added.
Olorunfemi also noted that poverty, lack of access to healthcare, and social isolation are significant contributors to infant abandonment.
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