The Post-Basic Midwifery Curriculum for Nigeria is designed specifically to prepare a professional category of health care providers who through comprehensive education are able to mobilize individuals, families and the community towards achieving optimal health.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and other United Nations (UN) statistical sources rate Nigeria's maternal mortality rate to be 1,000 per 100,000 lives births. These indices are very high and indicate the need for competent and skilled midwives at every level of health care. The overall goal and objectives of National Reproductive Health Policy is to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality resulting from pregnancy and childbirth by fifty percent (50%).

To this end, the practice of midwifery is maintained at an internationally recognized standard, and its curriculum planned and implemented to meet the needs of West African sub-region particularly Nigeria .

A midwife is a person who has successfully completed a programme of instructions in midwifery, duty registered and licensed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria to practice as a professional midwife providing health care in all areas of clinical practice such as the home, community, clinics and other health care institutions. By this education and competence, the practitioner is able to make independent judgment, manage normal pregnancy; labour and puerperium, provide appropriate care including family planning, recognize deviations from normal and make prompt referrals to appropriate levels of health care.

To prepare professionally competent and versatile midwifery practitioners who are capable of providing high level care to individuals and families in homes, communities, health centers, hospitals and clinics in the rural and urban centers of the society.

1. The family is the basic unit of the human existence, thus midwifery practice must be family-centred.

2. The woman is a vital partner in the midwife-client relationship, who should be empowered to reduce gender imbalance in all sexual and reproductive health issues.

3. Midwifery education enables the midwife develop specialized knowledge and skills for midwifery practice.

4. Continuing professional development programmes will keep the midwife abreast of the dynamic issues challenging reproductive health services in the society.

OBJECTIVES

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

1. Assess the health needs of the community with special reference to the basic needs of the family/individuals.

2. Utilize the Nursing process in providing comprehensive Nursing/Midwifery services to individuals and groups in the community and all health care settings.

3. Manage minor disorders during ante-natal, labour and post-natal periods of the child bearing cycle.

4. Function independently and in collaboration with other members of the health team, intersectoral team and Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) to provide comprehensive maternal and child health services.

5. Practice and maintain safe and clean delivery services.

6. Supervise the clinical experience of student midwives and other community health workers.

7. Effectively organize and manage clinics to achieve the goals of health maintenance by utilizing available human and materials resources.

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

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

10. Prescribe and administer family planning devices

11. Monitor the effects of family planning services in individuals and the community

12. Identify and refer high risk clients' to other members of the health team for specialized care.

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

1. Assess, plan, implement and evaluate the nursing needs of the community with special reference to the expectant family/individual.

2. Prevent and control communicable diseases especially those that may affect the health of the family/individual by initiating 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 at all levels of health care.

4. Plan, establish, organize and manage antenatal, postnatal, family planning and infant welfare clinics and assist in school health clinics.

5. Manage clients/patients during normal labour and delivery.

6. Deliver, resuscitate, prescribe and supplement care for the newborn.

7. Monitor the total health care plan for mother, child and family in order to meet specific needs during the neonatal period.

8. Store, prescribe and independently administer drugs under the jurisdiction of independent midwifery functions in any area of clinical practice

9. Diagnose and treat minor disorders occurring during the childhood period.

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

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

12. Plan with and guide families and communities on the methods necessary for achieving and maintaining healthy life styles.

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

14. Evaluate maternal and child health care services and conduct research with the aim of improving and developing techniques to meet the changing needs and demands of the people.

15. Initiate care in emergency situations to save the life of mother and/or child in the absence of medical care.