Utilizations and Strategies for Enhancing Maternal and Child Care Services and Sustainable Development in Makurdi Township of Benue State

ABSTRACT The paper examined the utilizations and strategies for enhancing maternal and child care services and sustainable Development in Makurdi Township of Benue State. The study adopted cross-sectional survey research design. The study population consisted of 375 child bearing mothers attending maternal and child health care services in the three major child welfare Clinics in Makurdi Township. The responses were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, t-test statistics and One- way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) statistic. The paper revealed that Most CBMs do not deem it feet to go back to the clinic for any checkup after delivery unless they heave complications. Most mothers will always want the government to intensify effort to adopt these strategies. Post-natal services have shown high utilization, indicating that many women seek care after childbirth, there was significance difference on the extent of utilization of antenatal services based on age such as ANC (F= 4.678, P=0.003), DCS (F= 3.200, P=0.009), PNC (F= 3.200, P=0.008) and there was significance difference on the extent of utilization of MCH based on parity ANC (F= 2.602, P=0.000), DCS (F= 3.021, P=0.001), PNC (F= 9.400, P=0.000). The paper concluded that improving the utilization of maternal and child care service is crucial for achieving sustainable development goals, particularly in enhancing the health of women and children. The paper recommended that to ensure consistent and equitable access to quality maternal and child health services, there should be a focus on improving healthcare facilities, particularly in underserved areas. Keywords: Maternal and Child Care, Services, Utilization, Pregnancy, Childbirth.