LSTM, WBFA train 32 NPMCN residents in advanced obstetrics and surgical skills

The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), in partnership with the Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), has commenced a three-day Advanced Obstetrics and Surgical Skills (AOSS) training for 31 residents from National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN) affiliated training institutions from 4 states and FCT Abuja, at the NPMCN training centre in Abuja.

Building on the foundation of previous successful training sessions for 82 NPMCN examiners in May and June 2024 at two centres of excellence established under the programme in Lagos and Abuja, this project emphasises equipping medical professionals with advanced obstetric surgical competencies and maternity leadership skills, further strengthening Nigeria’s health workforce to meet critical healthcare needs.

In collaboration with the college, the AOSS curriculum has been adopted to align with national 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, the 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.

By preparing residents to manage medical emergencies even in resource-limited settings, the training enhances the clinical skills of health workers, supporting the joint mission of LSTM and WBFA to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system and achieve sustainable impact.

In the current phase of the programme, trained faculty #NPMCN who were trained by #LSTM and #RCOGNLG earlier this year are leading and running the training.

This transition from initial training delivered by Nigerian Obstetricians in the diaspora affiliated with the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (#RCOGNLG) illustrates the continuity and positive impact of this initiative.

These experienced facilitators now play a pivotal role in training the next generation of obstetricians, further embedding advanced skills and best practices within Nigeria’s health community, and supporting the country’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.

Speaking at the training, Professor Charles Ameh, Head of the Department of International Public Health at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, shared his hopes for the project, stating,

“This training comes to an end in January, 2025 and at that stage we hope we would have trained upto 120 residents in the country.”

He noted, however, that this number is not sufficient and expressed his hope that, with additional funding, the training can be extended to the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria, thereby reducing logistical costs and enhancing healthcare sustainability.

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 (THET) for the benefit of both UK and partner-country health sectors.

As Nigeria continues to expand healthcare access, programs like the AOSS course not only improve healthcare delivery but also play an essential role in creating a healthier, more resilient population.