MIDWIVES’ AND MOTHERS’ PERCEPTION OF MIDWIVES SERVICE SCHEME
The Midwives Service Scheme (MSS) began in 2009 in Nigeria. It aimed at deploying newly qualified, unemployed, and retired midwives to primary health facilities in rural areas. Its core goal was to reduce maternal deaths and child mortality. Approximately 53000 mothers and 250 000 newborns die every year in Nigeria due to preventable causes. The initiative was the collaboration between federal, state, and local governments. Midwives and mothers have different perceptions concerning (MSS).
Mothers view the initiative in a positive light. Since its invention, more mothers can receive quality care from a midwife during childbirth. They also receive education on antenatal and postnatal care. Although some of them are semi-illiterate, they can learn the basics of how to handle a newborn. Since its launch, more children have received immunizations. MSS increased the accessibility of primary health care to mothers during childbirth. It has been beneficial to not only mothers but also children.
Midwives perceive MSS as a game-changer in terms of delivery of health care. Through it, they can receive adequate education on how to handle expectant mothers during childbirth. That has aided in reducing the number of mother and newborn deaths during delivery. Since 2015, the rate of fatalities decreased by 60%. The availability of skilled midwifery services has increased the number of births in hospitals by 75%. Mothers are also able to access family planning services.
Midwives and mothers have no doubt accepted the MSS initiative; they view it as a stepping stone to reducing maternal deaths. Although the program faces several challenges, such as inadequate availability and retention of midwives, it has played a significant role in enhancing health care in rural areas. Through MSS, unemployed midwives were able to get jobs. The government has deployed more than 2600 midwives to assist mothers and babies. Mothers are also able to access antenatal care. There is an increase in the number of expectant mothers who receive tetanus doses.
Mothers and midwives face challenges such as poor accommodation for midwives, lack of essential drugs, and irregular payment for MSS staff. The government should work together to improve the midwives living conditions and ensure the accessibility of the requisite medicines. It should also give the midwives decent payment at the right time. MSS initiative has played a significant role in scaling down maternal deaths and child mortality rates. That has brought joy and satisfaction to both mothers and midwives.
References
Abimbola, Seye, et al. “The midwives service scheme in Nigeria.” PLoS Med 9.5 (2012): e1001211.
Okpani, Arnold I., and Seye Abimbola. “The midwives service scheme: a qualitative comparison of contextual determinants of the performance of two states in central Nigeria.” Global health research and policy 1.1 (2016): 16.
