Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH) Paediatrics Department Marks 2026 Children’s Day With Two-Day Health Outreach and Newborn Care Training

The Department of Paediatrics, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, ISTH, marked the 2026 Children’s Day with a two-day program focused on community awareness, school health education, and building capacity for newborn survival.

Day 1: Community Sensitisation and School Health Program, May 26th 2026

The department led a hospital sensitisation rally and conducted a school health programme across four secondary schools in the towns of Ekpoma and Irrua. Students received health talks, basic screenings, and education on healthy living.

Day 2: Training of Health Professionals – June 3, 2026: Over 200 healthcare professionals from ISTH and neighbouring facilities were trained on Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) and Essential Newborn Care. The training focused on practical skills in neonatal resuscitation and essential newborn care to reduce infant mortality. The Scientific Lectures were delivered by Dr Lilian Akerele, a HBB Champion and ADNS Ibrahim Umar, a Senior Nursing Staff at ISTH.

Some of the Distinguished Guests at the event include Rt Hon Jonathan Aigbokhan Ibhamawu, who chaired the occasion, and Hon. Henry Irene, a former Secretary to the Esan West Local Government Council and current Member of the Edo State House of Assembly Commission.

The Chief Medical Director and Chief Executive Officer of ISTH, Prof. Reuben Agbons Eifediyi, the Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee at ISTH, Dr Olakunle Michael Obagaye and his 2 Deputies were also in attendance. The Provost of the College of Medicine Ambrose Alli University Prof Sunday Olowo, the Director of Administration at ISTH Barr Edna Inegbedion, the Acting Head of Nursing Services at ISTH, DNS Rasheedat Omokhudu Yesufu and her team, Dr Joseph Okoeguale, Director of the Institute of Viral and Emergent Pathogens, Control and Research (IVEPCR) and Chairman of the Medical and Dental Consultants of Nigeria ISTH Branch, the Provost of the ISTH College of Nursing Dr Constance Izekor, Consultants and Residents in the Department of Paediatrics ISTH, Dr Charles Igene the Head of Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology ISTH, Dr Odion Majirie represented the leadership of the Association of Resident Doctors ISTH, Dr Gloria Eifediyi, a Child Rights Campaigner and Convener of the ISTH Annual Childrens Christmas Party, Dr Irene Akhideno, Consultant Anaesthesiologist and past Head of Department of Anaesthesia, Rev Fr Daniel Ewah the Chaplain of St Luke’s Chaplaincy at ISTH, 4 of the 5 Primary Health Care Coordinators in the Edo Central Senatorial District, senior Medical and Nursing personnel from within ISTH and the private healthcare sector in the Edo Central Senatorial District attended and contributed to a grand and impactful event. A distinguished Professor of Paediatrics worldwide, Prof Philip Abiodun, was among the dignitaries who joined the program online.

The MED 2017 500 Level Medical Students of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, were also there in their numbers to assist in the smooth execution of the 2-day event. Prof. Reuben Agbons Eifediyi, Chief Medical Director and Chief Executive Officer of ISTH, while declaring open the one-day Training Workshop on Helping Babies Breathe and Essential Newborn Care, said that “Children are the foundation of our future.

This Children’s Day celebration reflects ISTH’s commitment to investing in their health today so they can thrive tomorrow. Training over 200 health workers in newborn care is a direct step towards saving more lives in our communities.

“Rt Hon. Jonathan Ibhamawu, Majority Leader in the Edo State House of Assembly and Chairman of the Occasion, remarked that”Our children deserve the best start in life. I commend the Department of Paediatrics, ISTH, for bringing healthcare beyond hospital walls into schools and communities. This is the kind of proactive engagement that builds a healthier Edo State.”

In his words, Dr Andrew Eigbedion, Head of the Department of Paediatrics, ISTH, said that ”Newborn mortality remains a challenge, but skills save lives. The Helping Babies Breathe and Essential Newborn Care training equips our health workers with simple, effective interventions.

Day 1 took us to schools, and Day 2 strengthened our workforce. Both are critical for child survival.

“The Department of Paediatrics, ISTH, under the leadership of Dr Andrew Oseghale Eigbedion, remains committed to advancing child health through education, community outreach, and continuous professional development. We are grateful to all the individuals and organisations who made free-will financial donations towards the success of the 2026 ISTH Children’s Day celebration.

The 2-day event concluded with the presentation of certificates of attendance to participants and recognition awards to those who made the 2026 Children’s Day activities successful.

Some of the remarkable recipients of the awards were Dr Ehisuan Ehiaghe, Dr Matthew Apeleokha, Dr Chiemeka Ogbonnaya, Chief Resident Department of Paediatrics; Dr Gloria Eifediyi, Convener of the Annual ISTH Children’s Christmas Party; Assistant Director of Nursing Services, Mr Ibrahim Umar; Dr Grace Kyunni, Secretary of the Local Organising Committee; and Dr Sheila Ojor Ileli, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee of the 2026 ISTH Children’s Day celebration.

Signed: Dr Andrew Oseghale Eigbedion, Head of Department of Paediatrics, ISTH