Bukola Afeni
The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), in partnership with the Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), has commenced the second batch of the Advanced Obstetrics and Surgical Skills (AOSS) training for the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN) faculty examiners.
The training program, which first took place in May, is aimed at supporting the NPMCN faculty examiners in training residents in obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN), ensuring quality assurance, and evaluating programs.
The training, held at the project’s Centre of Excellence in Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), began today with 24 participants, 8 facilitators, 3 LSTM team members, and 2 team members from WBFA.
The session was inaugurated with opening remarks from Dr. Hauwa Mohammed, Country Director for LSTM Nigeria, who encouraged participants to engage actively, assuring them of an enriching training experience.
Dr. Helen Allott, the course director, facilitated introductions and established ground rules for the training before delving into the course curriculum.
Launched in February 2024, the project aims to enhance maternal and child healthcare outcomes across Nigeria, aligning with LSTM’s and WBFA’s commitment to strengthening healthcare systems and supporting sustainable development goals.
“The effort underscores the partnering organizations’ response to Nigeria’s high maternal and neonatal mortality rates.”
According to WHO estimates, Nigeria has the second-highest estimated maternal death rate globally and one of the highest neonatal mortality rates in Africa, with a maternal mortality ratio (MMR) of over 800 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births and a neonatal mortality rate of 33 per 1,000 live births in 2019.
By advancing the AOSS Competency-Based Curriculum for Resident Doctors in OBGYN at NPMCN, the partners aim to ensure high-quality care for mothers and newborns.
The course covers advanced techniques and best practices for managing obstetric and neonatal emergencies, directly contributing to improved healthcare delivery.
This project is funded through the Global Health Workforce Programme (GHWP), supported by the UK Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and managed by the Tropical Health and Education Trust (@THETlinks) for the benefit of the UK and partner country health sectors.