The maternal and child health challenge in the country is indeed enormous as shown by indicators such as maternal mortality rate of about 1,000/100,000 live births (FMOH, 1998) and neonatal mortality rate of 35/1,000 with majority of the deaths occurring at the rural community level. These high maternal and child mortality ratios have been linked to shortage of trained, competent and skilled midwifery personnel at the rural community level of health care.

The situation depicted above c1earl~ indicates a need for the training of midwives to meet these needs.

This curriculum is specifically designed for the training of midwives, who are critical to the delivery of safe maternal and child health services, at the community level. This midwife is capable of functioning in all areas including primary health care settings etc.

By this special education, the practitioner is able to make independent judgment, manage normal midwifery, provide appropriate care including family planning and refer individuals with high-risk pregnancies and complications to other levels of health care.

A person, who has successfully completed this programme of instruction, is registered by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and holds a license that enables her to practice as a Midwife.

The aim of this programme is to prepare competent, skilled and versatile midwifery practitioners who are capable of providing high level care to individuals and expectant families in primary health care settings, health clinics, communities etc in order to reduce maternal and infant mortality rate.

1. The family is the basic unit of human existence, thus basic midwifery practice must focus on the family in the provision of care for the expectant family.

2. The expectant family is a vital partner in the midwife-client relationship and should be guided to make decisions regarding its health goals.

3. Specific midwifery practices and health information, education and communication are necessary tools in assisting adolescents and the expectant woman adapt to their changing body image and environment.

4. Midwifery services at the grass root level embrace the tenets of Primary Health Care in all its ramifications.

5 . Basic Midwifery Education enables the midwife to develop skills in midwifery practice and encourages her to continuously improve such practice by keeping abreast of current trends and concepts in the practice of midwifery and by attending continuing education programmes.

6. Basic Midwifery Education takes cognizance of the prevailing psycho-socio-economic conditions of contemporary society, and the gender issues challenging reproductive health services in the society.

OBJECTIVES

At the end of this programme, the student should be able to:

1. Assess the basic health needs of a community and intervene appropriately.

2. Utilize the nursing process in providing comprehensive nursing and midwifery care to individuals and groups in the community and in all Primary Health Care settings.

3. Identify risk factors in obstetrics and take appropriate action.

4. Function independently and in collaboration with other members of the health team and related sectors.

5. Practice safe and clean delivery services

6. Supervise the clinical experience of student midwives and Para- medical personnel in the community.

7. Network with government and non-governmental organizations to address youth reproductive health problems.

8. Sensitize, mobilize and educate individuals, families and groups in order to effect change in the reproductive pattern of the community.

9. Utilize appropriate clinical protocol in managing obstetric emergencies and refer appropriately to save the lives of mother and child.

10. Utilize the knowledge and skill of information, education and communication in improving reproductive health care services.

11. Collaborate with the community to improve the reproductive health status of women, youths and men

The competencies of an individual who has successfully completed the requirements of this programme include the ability to:

1. Assess, plan, implement and evaluate the health needs of the community with special reference to reproductive health needs.

2. Prevent and control communicable diseases especially those with the potential of affecting the health of mother and child by instituting community surveillance programmes and maximizing the use of human and material resources.

3. Function independently and collaboratively with allied health professionals and the intersectoral team to provide comprehensive maternal and child health care services in the community.

4. Plan, establish, organize and manage ante-natal, post-natal, family planning and infant welfare clinics.

5 . Identify clients at risk and take appropriate action.

6. Manage patients during pregnancy, labour and delivery.

7. Anticipate/recognize risk factors, take prompt action and refer where necessary.

8. Deliver, resuscitate, and initiate care for the new born. .. -

9. Identify infants with problems and intervene appropriately

10. Monitor mothers closely during post partum record and subsequently,

11. Initiate and manage lactation

12. Develop strategies for Health Education needs of client/patient and families in homes and communities.

13. Counsel on Family Planning, Immunization and breast-feeding

14. Store, prescribe, administer and manage essential drugs by evolving an effective monitoring and cost recovery system.

15 . Diagnose and treat common uncomplicated conditions that affect the. health of the child and/or the mother.

16. Sensitize, mobilize and educate the community for active participation in health care activities.

17. Teach, guide and supervise the practice of other health personnel including students in maternal and child health services.

18. Plan with and guide families and communities on the methods necessary for achieving and maintaining healthy lifestyles.

19. Educate the community on family planning and administer contraceptive devices in accordance with the socio-cultural values and needs of the people

20. Mobilize males to participate in reproductive and child health care.

21. Initiate and participate in the development of recording and reporting system, maintaining, analyzing and utilizing collected data.

22. Evaluate maternal and child health care Services and participate in research with the aim of improving and developing techniques to meet the changing needs and demands of the people.