The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom and Wellbeing Foundation Africa have announced a new partnership aimed at strengthening obstetric training for resident doctors in Nigeria.
The collaboration, funded by the Global Health Workforce Programme, seeks to enhance emergency obstetric and newborn care and establish two centres of excellence for advanced training in Nigeria.
The LSTM’s Emergency Obstetrics and Quality of Care Unit, which has extensive experience in delivering maternal and newborn health capacity-strengthening interventions across sub-Saharan Africa, will lead the project.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammed Pate, recently said that 57,000 mothers died from pregnancy and complications during childbirth in 2023 alone.
He noted that one of the leading causes of maternal mortality is postpartum haemorrhage, which accounts for a significant proportion of maternal deaths worldwide.
He added that the mortality rate among newborns, often attributed to birth asphyxia and complications related to premature births is equally alarming.
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However, the principal investigator of the project and lead of the LSTM’s EmOC&QoC Unit, Professor Charles Ameh, highlighted the importance of the initiative in tackling the high maternal and newborn mortality rates in Nigeria.
He said, “Our Unit has extensive experience in delivering maternal and newborn health capacity-strengthening interventions in Nigeria and across sub-Saharan Africa.
“This 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 the care of pregnant women and their newborn babies.”
On her part, the founder and president of Wellbeing Foundation Africa, Mrs Toyin Saraki, expressed her organisation’s commitment to the partnership, emphasising the need to equip healthcare professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes.
“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.
“This week, 30 lead faculty members are being trained as trainers at the centre of excellence in Lagos, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to ensure continuity and sustainability.
“The obstetric 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.
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