On May 6, 2024, the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) and the Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA) marked a significant milestone with the launch of the Advanced Obstetrics and Surgical Skills (AOSS) training for resident doctors specializing in obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN). This training is taking place at the new Centre of Excellence at the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, located in the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). The program commenced with an initial focus on the National Postgraduate Medical College faculty, which includes doctors from various hospitals across Nigeria, such as the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, National Hospital Abuja, and Federal Medical Centre Yenagoa, among others.
Launched in February, this project aims to enhance maternal and child healthcare outcomes across Nigeria, reflecting LSTM’s and WBFA’s commitment to strengthening healthcare systems and supporting sustainable development goals. By advancing the AOSS Competency-Based Curriculum for Resident Doctors in OBGYN at the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, the partners are dedicated to ensuring high-quality care for mothers and newborns.
The program covers advanced techniques and best practices for managing obstetric and neonatal emergencies, directly contributing to improved healthcare delivery. This effort is part of LSTM’s and WBFA’s broader goal of building resilience in healthcare systems and improving access to quality care.
Funded by the UK Department of Health and Social Care through the Global Health Workforce Programme (GHWP) and managed by the Tropical Health and Education Trust (THET), the project has several key objectives. These include engaging stakeholders in postgraduate medical education, establishing advanced AOSS Centres of Excellence in Abuja and Lagos, and ensuring sustainable operations for postgraduate OBGYN revision courses. Additionally, the project provides support to the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN) in training residents, quality assurance, and program evaluation.
The program leverages expertise from the Emergency Obstetric and Quality of Care Unit at LSTM and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (Nigeria Liaison Group). Implemented on the frontlines by LSTM in collaboration with WBFA, this transformative partnership is poised to make significant strides in improving maternal and newborn healthcare outcomes across Nigeria.