Multifaceted Partnership
Neonatal jaundice (NNJ) is a common condition in the first weeks of life, affecting 60% of term and nearly 100% of preterm infants. In Nigeria, it remains a leading cause of preventable brain damage and disabilities like kernicterus and cerebral palsy. Despite effective treatments, inadequate diagnostic tools, poor phototherapy equipment, and misconceptions hinder its management. The Neonatal Jaundice Screening, Treatment, and Kernicterus Prevention Program, Project Oscar – Light For Life, launched by the Wellbeing Foundation Africa and Reckitt, with social impact partners like the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine’s NEST360, Solina SCIDAR, and Lagos State Government’s Ministry of Health, Lagos State Primary Health Management Board, addresses these challenges by providing phototherapy units, training healthcare workers, and raising awareness. Expanded from Vietnam to Nigeria, the program aligns with global health priorities and calls for WHO support to integrate NNJ management into neonatal care standards.
From September 19, 2024, to April 30, 2026, the programme will focus on improving neonatal health outcomes in Lagos State, targeting 18 selected healthcare facilities, including tertiary, secondary, and primary centres and underserved communities with high neonatal care needs. This initiative will deliver vital interventions such as providing medical devices for NNJ screening and treatment, implementing early detection and screening programs, and offering comprehensive training for healthcare workers to enhance neonatal care. Strengthening referral pathways and conducting community awareness campaigns will ensure caregivers are informed and reduce stigma. Beneficiaries of this impactful program include newborns, mothers, caregivers, and healthcare workers across Lagos State, working together to create a healthier future for all.
The program focuses on mobilising community awareness about neonatal jaundice (NNJ), its connection to cerebral palsy, and reducing stigma through education. It aims to strengthen the referral system across primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare facilities and advocate for policy changes by sharing real-life stories that highlight the broader impact of NNJ on disabilities.
Our goal is to reduce the incidence and complications of NNJ through improved early detection, timely treatment, and widespread community awareness. We aim to screen 9,000 newborns for NNJ, train 300 healthcare workers in NNJ diagnosis and treatment, reach 10,000 mothers with information on early signs and treatment through community awareness campaigns, and provide phototherapy units and bilirubin meters to selected tertiary, secondary, and primary health facilities.
Our goal is to reduce the incidence and complications of neonatal jaundice through improved early detection, timely treatment, and community awareness.
Reckitt | The Wellbeing Foundation Africa
Improved rates of early detection and treatment of NNJ.
Reduced complications and referrals due to NNJ.
Increased knowledge and skills among healthcare providers.
Enhanced community awareness and prompt care-seeking behavior.
Strengthened healthcare systems for sustainable NNJ management.
