The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) and Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), say they have commenced a three-day Advanced Obstetrics and Surgical Skills (AOSS) training for 32 residents doctors.
This is contained in a statement in Abuja on Monday by Miss Jennifer-Ifunanya Eziuloh, Advocacy, Communications and Campaign Manager, Wellbeing Foundation Africa.
Eziuloh said the participating doctors were drawn from the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN)-affiliated training institutions from four states and FCT.
She said that the training was aimed at building on the previous training for 82 NPMCN examiners.
The training took in May and June 2024 at the two Centres of Excellence located in Abuja and Lagos established under the programme.
According to her, the project emphasised on equipping medical professionals with advanced obstetric surgical competencies and maternity leadership skills.
She said the training was aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s health workforce to meet critical healthcare needs, adding that the AOSS curriculum has been adopted to align with international standards.
“The College’s Senate is anticipated to approve the updated obstetric training curriculum in the coming weeks, a move that will embed AOSS content as a key component for obstetric training across Nigeria.
“As part of an ongoing commitment to enhance healthcare practices and outcomes in Nigeria, AOSS training addresses critical gaps in maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality reduction strategies.
“From 2000 to 2020, Nigeria achieved a 34 per cent reduction in maternal and neonatal mortality rates, yet complications from pregnancy and childbirth remain a leading cause of preventable deaths,’’ she said.
She said the training was to prepare resident doctors to manage medical emergencies even in resource-limited settings, adding that the training would enhanced clinical skills of health workers.
She said it would also support the joint mission of LSTM and WBFA to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system and achieve sustainable impact.
According to her, in the current phase of the programme, faculty officers of NPMCN who were trained by LSTM and Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (RCOGNLG) earlier were leading and running the training.
Eziuloh said that the transition from initial training delivered by Nigerian Obstetricians in the diaspora, affiliated with RCOGNLG illustrated the continuity and positive impact of this initiative.
According to her, these experienced facilitators now play a pivotal role in training the next generation of obstetricians, and to further embedding advanced skills and best practices within Nigeria’s health community.
She said the move would also support Nigeria’s efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and significantly reduce morbidity and mortality rates among women and children.
“As a long-term sustainability measure, the project aims to integrate the AOSS training course into the Faculty’s curriculum, making it a compulsory component of the training guide for doctors.
“The curriculum integration is currently under review by the college’s senate,” she said.
She quoted Prof. Charles Ameh, Head, Department of International Public Health, LSTM, as, in the course of the training, expressing hopes for the success of the initiative.
“This project is funded through the Global Health Workforce Programme (GHWP), supported by the UK Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
“It is managed by the Tropical Health and Education Trust (THET) for the benefit of both UK and partner-country health sectors.
“As Nigeria continues to expand healthcare access, programmes like the AOSS course not only improve healthcare delivery but also play an essential role in creating a healthier, more resilient population,” Ameh said.
By Aderogba George, NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA