Bukola Afeni
The Emergency Obstetrics and Quality of Care (EmOC&QoC) Unit of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) is proud to announce its collaboration with Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA) in an effort to enhance emergency obstetric and newborn care (EmONC) in Nigeria.
This project is funded through the Global Health Workforce Programme, which is funded by the UK Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and managed by Tropical Health and Education Trust (THET) for the benefit of the UK and partner country health sectors.
The partnership is aimed at bolstering the capacity of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN) to deliver the Advanced Obstetrics and Surgical Skills training to resident doctors. The project will establish two centres of excellence in northern and southern Nigeria where the training course will be delivered.
The principal investigator of the project and lead of the LSTM’s EmOC&QoC Unit, Prof Charles Ameh, disclosed that the
unit has extensive experience in delivering maternal and newborn health capacity, and strengthening interventions in Nigeria and across sub-Saharan Africa.
“The project offers us the opportunity to further expand our impact in Nigeria in tackling the high maternal and newborn deaths by training local doctors in life-saving skills for care of pregnant women and their newborn babies”, he said.
Her Excellency Mrs. Toyin Ojora Saraki, Founder-President of Wellbeing Foundation Africa, expressed her organisation’s commitment to the project, stating, “We are honoured to partner with LSTM and THET in this endeavour. Improving access to quality EmONC services is essential for reducing maternal and newborn mortality rates in Nigeria. Through this collaboration, we aim to equip healthcare professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to save lives”, she said.
She said 30 lead faculty members are being trained as trainers at the center of excellence in Lagos.
“We are equipping them with the knowledge and skills to ensure continuity and sustainability.
The training initiative marks a significant milestone in LSTM’s ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare systems in Nigeria and beyond.
“By harnessing the power of partnerships and innovation, LSTM and WBFA are paving the way for improved maternal and newborn health outcomes in the region”, she added.