Health Policy and Women Development in Ondo State, Nigeria: A Critical Assessment of the Mother and Child Hospital, Akure

Abstract

Women all over the world particularly in Nigeria occupy a very significant position. This is because of their laudable role in the society. For instance, child bearing and other domestic activities that are naturally attached to them. However, these roles technically subject and expose women folk to more dangers than the men,particularly during child labour when most women face serious pains, and struggle between life and death. At this critical stage, the survival of mothers depends on the availability and quality of health facilities and services. In Nigeria, particularly in Ondo State, many women have lost their lives in the course of child bearing while some have developed one ailment or the other making them unfit to actively participate in the development process. As a result, the Ondo State Government initiated a policy which led to the establishment of mother and child hospital, primarily designed to handle pregnant women for the purpose of safe delivery and good health to further enhance women capacity for sustainable development. The paper adopted both primary and secondary methods of data collection to source its information. It was observed from the paper that mother and child Hospital impacted positively on women, although, majorly from the urban areas of the state. The findings also showed that the policy could not be sustained for various reasons ranging from funding problem, inadequate health personnel to inadequate drugs. The paper suggested that the policy of mother and child hospital be reviewed and redefined to ensure sustainability.