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EVALUATION OF THE FREE MATERNAL HEALTH CARE POLICY FOR WOMEN IN EBONYI STATE (2001 – 2010)
Abstract
This paper evaluated the free maternal healthcare policy in Ebonyi state, with a view to determining its impact on women. The primary objective was to determine the effectiveness of this policy. The study adopted a descriptive survey, using a proportional sampling technique. Related literature was reviewed. The elite theory was adopted as the theoretical framework of analysis. The data for the research were collected using structured questionnaire. The findings were: that free maternal healthcare policy in Ebonyi state has helped in reducing maternal mortality and morbidity on women. There is significant level of awareness on the policy among the women. There is reduction in patronage of traditional birth attendants, spiritual homes and other quacks. Critical factors like corruption, lack of health personnel in the rural areas pose a setback to the policy. The implication of this study is that despite the reduction in maternal mortality ratio resulting from the free maternal health care policy of Ebonyi State Government, unacceptable number of women is still dying from pregnancy and child birth. The study recommends, among others, that government facilities be optimally staffed and equipped; government to focus the policy on the lower social class in the rural areas, rather than thinly spreading the scarce funds on the rich who do not really need them; sustain current high level of awareness of the policy; traditional birth attendants should be integrated into the policy, and inter-sectoral collaboration should be encouraged.
