For more than four decades, the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) has been at the forefront of advancing child health in Nigeria. Among its leading figures is Prof. Alice Nte, whose career has been dedicated to ensuring healthier beginnings for children through the promotion of breastfeeding, child nutrition, and paediatric care.
Pioneering Breastfeeding and Infant Care
One of Prof. Nte’s most celebrated contributions was her role in implementing the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) at UPTH in the early 1990s. This global initiative, championed by the World Health Organization and UNICEF, promotes breastfeeding as the foundation for infant health.
UPTH became one of the first hospitals in Nigeria to adopt the “10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding”, training healthcare staff, creating mother-friendly spaces, and offering counselling services to new mothers.
“Since 1992–1993 when we were first assessed and designated baby-friendly, our goal has always been to encourage and support mothers to breastfeed their babies. Breast milk alone is sufficient for the first six months of life, and with complementary foods after that, children thrive.”
– Prof. Alice Nte
Achievements and Continuing Challenges
Over the years, the Paediatrics Department has provided breastfeeding education materials, run support groups, and organized annual World Breastfeeding Week activities. The unit also collaborates with other hospitals and health boards to train staff in infant feeding counselling, extending its impact beyond UPTH.
However, Prof. Nte acknowledges that challenges remain. Regular staff training — a core requirement of BFHI — has not been as consistent as needed, especially with retirements and the influx of new staff.
“The last time we ran a full training was in 2008. Many of those who were trained have retired, leaving gaps we need to fill. To sustain our baby-friendly designation, we must invest in continuous training.”
A Lasting Legacy in Child Health
Despite the challenges, Prof. Nte takes pride in the department’s achievements:
- Establishing a baby-friendly unit that promotes exclusive breastfeeding.
- Creating mother-and-child facilities, including crèches and counselling rooms.
- Integrating breastfeeding education into the training of medical, nursing, and allied health students.
- Supporting Nigeria’s broader public health agenda through partnerships and advocacy.
Through her efforts, countless children have benefited from healthier starts to life, and generations of health workers have been trained in paediatric and infant nutrition.
Looking Ahead
As UPTH celebrates its 45th anniversary, Prof. Alice Nte’s reflections highlight both progress and the work yet to be done. Her vision is clear: to see UPTH continue as a centre of excellence in paediatric care, where every child is given the best possible chance at survival and growth.
“We have done a lot, but we must do more. The commitment to child health must go beyond annual celebrations. With consistent training, renewed support, and dedication, UPTH can remain a model for paediatric care in Nigeria and beyond.”
✨ At UPTH, we honour Prof. Alice Nte for her pioneering contributions to paediatrics, breastfeeding advocacy, and the holistic care of children over the past 45 years.
