Abiye (Safe Motherhood)

Abiye is the Yoruba literal translation of Safe motherhood. But in the context of Ondo state, it is more. It is a wish, a concept, a heart cry, a prayer, a proclamation and even much deeper... For the Mimiko administration, it is borne out of the determination to ensure that when we say 'Abiye' to our mothers on their way to the labour room, they actually come back alive with their babies. It is to guarantee that women and mothers who are the source of life and the spine of any economy are not wasted in the course of bringing forth life.

People in the rural areas did not have access to reliable medical services and thus relied on traditional medical practitioners, quack doctors and midwives as well as self-styled birth attendants.

The government of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko established the Abiye programme in dealing with this unwelcome situation with a passionate resolve to ensure that it transcends the realm of wishes to become a reality.
It is a concept that ensures that a pregnant woman will carry her pregnancy for full term and deliver safely without encountering the four main areas of delay. these are:

Delay of patients in seeking care
Delay in reaching care
Delay in assessing care
Delay in referring care Establishments to take care of emergencies.

Since its take-off in 2009, the Abiye Programme has proved to be one of the most effective projects of the government in its quest to permanently wipe out tears from the faces of the people of Ondo State and its environs.

Abiye unveils Dr. Mimiko’s creative approach in tackling maternal mortality not only from the health care’s point of view, but also from the perspective of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which seeks to reduce maternal mortality in appreciation of the roles of women in growth and sustenance of the family, the economy and ultimately in the overall interest of the people.

The expectant mother is the major target of abiye programme, adequate arrangement to provide care and help within her reach were made by the government. She is armed with “Kaadi Igbe Ayo”( card living in joy or joyful living) – a smart card containing her biographic data and other relevant information. This card makes it easy for Health Rangers to determine the particulars of each pregnant woman and to attend to her appropriately.

The expectant mother is equally equipped with a mobile phone and a Closed User Group (CUG) line by government with which to make toll-free calls. With this ICT tools, the expectant mother calls the Health Ranger who promptly responds. In essence, the Health Rangers are at the beck and call of expectant mothers wherever they are. The Health Rangers which are provided with branded motorcycles or tricycles to traverse their designated areas also treats common ailments such as malaria, diarrhea and respiratory tract infections.

Since 2009 when it started, the programme is already firmly established and enjoying tremendous success and support all over the state, especially in Ifedore Local Government Area the seat of the pilot project.

As at now the programme is being replicated in the remaining 17 local government areas of the state.