Last Thursday the World Bank Group hosted a panel to discuss global efforts to combat early childhood malnutrition, the link to ending extreme poverty, and why it is imperative that we invest in the early years of life. This was in praise of Roger Thurow's groundbreaking new book 'The First 1,000 Days: A Crucial Time for Mothers and Children - And the World'. This enlightened piece of research provides new insight into the importance of perinatal care, while ratifying the work carried out by the Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), where we put perinatal care at the epicenter of our endeavors.
The inextricable link between perinatal care and the survival and development of mother and infant is widely acknowledged. However, on closer inspection the implications of the first 1,000 days span far wider than traditional health indices. The research conducted by Roger Thurow has unveiled the extent to which the first 1,000 days of an embryo's life are impactful, physically, but also socially and economically in the longer-term. Highlighting the link between malnutrition within the first 1,000 days and lesser success in later life, Thurow castes light on just how crucial this stage of development really is. The research shows that malnourishment during this time strongly and positively correlates with lesser time spent in school, 20-30% lower wages as an adult, and increased vulnerability to chronic illnesses.
The far reaching consequences of the first 1,000 days render WBFA's mission to improve perinatal care ever more pertinent. Despite universal recognition of the importance of perinatal care, in Africa recognition has not been met with responsive action. Every year 125,000 women and 870,000 newborns die in the first week after birth in Africa alone, with figures escalating into the millions within the first few years of life. These statistics are as frustrating as they are dismal; they mark a direct and irrefutable failure of governments and institutions to provide the simple but necessary care that is needed within the first 1,000 days.
Nutrition is paramount, and has been shown to affect the development of the foetus' brain. Malnutrition of the mother is also associated with greater risk during childbirth. The provision of nutritious food has the potential to significantly reduce maternal mortality and offers a fair start to children across Africa. Breast milk provides a child with all the necessary nutrients and is proven to be the best possible food-source for young infants. For this reason the WBFA promotes breastfeeding through workshops that encourage and educate young expectant mothers in Nigeria on the value and practice of breastfeeding. These workshops develop awareness of the nutritional value of breast-milk in remote areas, while emphasising the importance of a mother's health during this time. A greater focus on dietary education and awareness for young expectant mothers empowers women to make informed decisions on the way in which they nurture their child, both before and after birth.
There are other factors that make this time so critical. Vaccination is a simple but effective way of improving a baby's chances of survival and development, and WBFA are proud to have been working steadily towards our goal of universal vaccination in Nigeria. Sadly, although attainable, this goal is far from being realised. Just 26% of newborns in rural Nigeria received the necessary 3 doses of the DPT vaccination in 2015, which protects against a combination of highly contagious and potentially life-threatening diseases. The importance of vaccinations to these diseases cannot be understated, and should be incorporated into the broader picture of perinatal care measures in Africa.
In line with last Thursday's message from the World Bank, we at WBFA praise the work of others that share our cause, and advocate that this critical issue be given greater leverage in the public policy debate, to provide all women and children with the care they need in the future.