Although severe bleeding, infections, hypertensive disorders and obstructed labour are common to all parts of the world, in Ondo State, government’s determination to ensure that such incidences are drastically reduced led to the conduct of a baseline survey and needs assessment that revealed four phases of delay:
- Delay on the part of patients to seek care when complications arise
- Delay in reaching care due to poor infrastructural support, communication challenges and transport
- Delay in accessing care due to poor facilities
- Delay in referral care for “at risk cases” or emergencies.
Having identified the four areas of delay, Abiye was therefore strategically designed to address all, reaching out to the targeted people and removing all barriers and hindrances to the pursuit of safe motherhood in Ondo State.
The solutions:
Delay of patients in seeking care:
This is taken up by educating pregnant women on dangers of delivering at home. Community Health Workers otherwise known as Health Rangers reach them where they live, work and play. Individualizing care, each Ranger attends to an average of 20 patients, regularly communicates with and visits the patients, knowing where they live and solving their problems. They use customized checklist to determine women who are at risk in pregnancy and ensure close monitoring.
Delay in reaching care:
Government provides transportation for the Rangers – motorbikes, speed boats, ambulances.
Delay in assessing care:
Upgrading and renovating peripheral facilities in all localities within the State, ensuring they are well equipped and with adequately manned personnel trained on safe delivery practices, emergency obstetric and new born care. There is also provision of drugs and necessary consumables to ensure that patients are attended to promptly and properly.
Delay in referring care:
Establishment of world class Mother and Child Hospitals in the State to take care of emergencies. |
