LSTM’s Emergency Obstetric and Quality of Care Unit, in collaboration with the Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), is currently running the third batch of the Advanced Obstetrics and Surgical Skills (AOSS) training for the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN) faculty examiners in Abuja, Nigeria. Launched in February 2024, this project has trained 58 obstetrics and gynecology doctors across the first two batches held in Lagos, Nigeria. The primary goal of this training is to enhance the capacity of NPMCN faculty examiners in training residents in obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN).
The five-day training program, held at the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria in Utako, Abuja, involves over 25 participants who will be trained by a team comprising three experienced facilitators from The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists’ Nigeria Liaison Group (RCOG NLG), five former trainees from NPMCN, and one expert from LSTM UK. The session began with introductions led by Dr. Hauwa Mohammed, Country Director for LSTM Nigeria, and Dr. Helen Allott, the course director. They established ground rules and set the tone for an extensive training experience. Participants underwent a pre-test breakout session designed to assess their current knowledge, strengths, and areas for improvement, allowing the training to be tailored to their specific needs.
Between 2000 and 2020, the global maternal mortality ratio (MMR) decreased by 34%, from 339 to 223 deaths per 100,000 live births, according to UN inter-agency estimates. Despite constituting only 2.4% of the global population, Nigeria accounts for 10% of worldwide deaths related to pregnancy and childbirth. This disproportionately high rate impacts approximately 40 million Nigerian women of childbearing age (15 to 49 years old).
This highlights the project's aims to improve maternal and child healthcare outcomes throughout Nigeria, addressing Nigeria's high maternal and neonatal mortality rates and seeking to reduce these numbers through targeted interventions and comprehensive healthcare strategies. By advancing the AOSS Competency-Based Curriculum for Resident Doctors in OBGYN at NPMCN, LSTM and WBFA seek to ensure the provision of high-quality care for mothers and newborns in Nigeria. The Advanced Obstetrics and Surgical Skills course focuses on advanced techniques and best practices for managing obstetric and neonatal emergencies, thereby directly contributing to enhanced healthcare delivery.
This project is funded by 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 (THET). It benefits both the UK and partner country health sectors.
