ABSTRACT
The need for low-cost family planning and maternal and child health services is apparent in rural Nigeria. This chapter presents the project that will provide useful information to the government in implementing the national Basic Health Services Scheme, which will contain community-based distribution elements. The project marks a sharp break with the tradition of institutional care based on the Western model, moving toward extension of service delivery and community involvement. The University College Hospital (UCH) staff developed a specific two-week training course for the government midwives at the seven maternities in the project area and for their nursing supervisor. Following the midwife orientation and training period, UCH staff and the midwives from the maternity centers met with community leaders to discuss the selection of candidates for the positions of community agents. Health center maternity records and community agent service statistics are being supplemented by a household survey which was carried out prior to the initiation of services.
