This paper reports the findings at baseline in a multi-phase project that aimed at reducing maternal mortality
in a local government area (LGA) of South-West Nigeria. The objectives were to determine the availability
of essential obstetric care (EOC) services in the LGA and to assess the quality of existing services.
The first phase of this interventional study, which is the focus of this paper, consisted of a baseline health
facility and needs assessment survey using instruments adapted from the United Nations guidelines.
Twenty-one of 26 health facilities surveyed were public facilities, and five were privately owned. None of
the facilities met the criteria for a basic EOC facility, while only one private facility met the criteria for a
comprehensive EOC facility. Three facilities employed a nurse and/or a midwife, while unskilled health
attendants manned 46% of the facilities. No health worker in the LGA had ever been trained in lifesaving
skills. There was a widespread lack of basic EOC equipment and supplies. The study concluded that there
were major deficiencies in the supply side of obstetric care services in the LGA, and EOC was almost
non-existent. This result has implications for interventions for the reduction of maternal mortality in the
LGA and in Nigeria.