The Wellbeing Foundation Africa and Reckitt Launches Neonatal Jaundice Screening, Treatment, and Kernicterus Prevention Program – Project Oscar – Light For Life

In advancing healthcare solutions in Nigeria, the Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), in collaboration with its long-standing social impact partner Reckitt, has launched a Neonatal Jaundice Screening, Treatment, and Kernicterus Prevention Program  Project Oscar – Light For Life, in Lagos, Nigeria. The national launch, held at Four Points by Sheraton in Lagos on 3rd Dec 2024, marked a significant milestone in the fight against neonatal jaundice (NNJ) and its complications. The event coincided with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, reinforcing the year’s theme: “Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future.”

 

The launch brought together government officials, global health experts, NGOs, and representatives from both private and public healthcare facilities. Partners including the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, NEST360, SCIDaR, and the Lagos State Ministry of Health joined hands to launch this initiative which aims to tackle the challenges of NNJ in Nigeria. Her Excellency Toyin Saraki, Founder and President of WBFA, praised the leadership and advocacy of disability activist Oscar Anderson MBE, whose lived experience inspired this life-saving initiative. Speaking at the event, Mrs. Saraki said, “Oscar’s journey is a testament to how personal challenges can inspire meaningful global solutions, solutions that save lives and prevent disabilities.”

Neonatal jaundice affects approximately 60% of term neonates and up to 100% of preterm infants, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). If untreated, it can lead to kernicterus, a form of brain damage that causes lifelong disabilities such as cerebral palsy. In Nigeria, neonatal jaundice remains a leading cause of preventable brain damage and neonatal mortality due to gaps in diagnostic tools, unreliable phototherapy equipment, and pervasive myths about the condition. Research by NEST360 estimates that 70-80% of NNJ cases in Nigeria could be effectively managed with timely intervention.

Project Oscar aims to bridge these gaps by providing healthcare facilities with essential tools such as phototherapy units and bilirubinometers to ensure accurate diagnoses and timely treatments. It also focuses on training healthcare professionals to identify and manage NNJ effectively while raising awareness among mothers and families to dispel misconceptions about NNJ and its treatment. Originally launched in Vietnam in 2019 by Oscar Anderson MBE, this initiative’s expansion to Nigeria represents a critical step toward reducing neonatal mortality and preventing lifelong disabilities. It aligns with global health priorities and seeks integration into World Health Organization (WHO) neonatal care guidelines.

Akbar Ali Shah, Chief Executive Officer of Reckitt Sub-Saharan Africa, emphasized the program’s significance, stating, “Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in our mission to improve health outcomes in Nigeria. Neonatal jaundice is preventable, yet it endangers millions of newborns globally. Collaboration is the cornerstone of impactful change, and we are committed to making life-saving interventions accessible.” Professor Chinyere Ezeaka, Head of Pediatrics at the College of Medicine, LUTH, reinforced this urgency, stating, “Zero tolerance to neonatal jaundice and kernicterus in Lagos State. A baby can be born with neonatal jaundice, but no baby should develop kernicterus.” Oscar Anderson MBE expressed his pride and commitment, adding, “The work doesn’t stop until every baby is protected against neonatal jaundice. Where there is no access, it fuels resentment, anger, and frustration. That’s why Project Oscar is especially relevant for mums and their newborns.”

Project Oscar – Light For Life represents a powerful step in addressing neonatal jaundice in Nigeria. By equipping healthcare providers, empowering families, and increasing international collaboration, this initiative seeks to ensure that every newborn has a chance at a healthy start in life.