National Health System, Maternal Health and the Millennium Development Goals: A Review of Abiye Programme in Ondo State, Nigeria
Emmanuel Adeniran Alebiosu

Abstract
Health is one of the critical components of the developmental agenda and governance of a state. One of the major health issues in Africa is the problem of effective national health system and sustainable maternal health policy which has contributed to the increase in infant and maternal mortality rate. The impact of these problems on global development is frightening to the extent that one of the main targets of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) by 2015 is the reduction by two-third in infant mortality and three-quarters in maternal mortality rate. Ondo State has the highest record in the Southwest region of Nigeria in infant and maternal mortality rate. However, the administration of Dr Mimiko initiated a health policy known as ‘Abiye’ in year 2009 to help address this maternal health problem. This study examines the MDG and maternal health in Nigeria and reviews the Abiye programme and its lessons for maternal health and national health system in Nigeria. The paper concludes that until the Abiye programme is integrated into the national health system and the Nigerian leadership demonstrate the political will to address the issues confronting maternal health in the national health care system, the targets of the MDG in Nigeria will be a mirage.

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