Wellbeing Foundation Africa And Liverpool School Of Tropical Medicine Global Health Workforce Program (GHWP) Partnership To Improve The Availability Of Quality Of Emergency Obstetric And Newborn Care At National And Sub-National Hospitals By Strengthening The Capacity Of The National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria Deepens Medical Education and Emergency Obstetric Care Capacity through National Equipment Handover and Examiner Training

May 29, 2025 – Lagos, Nigeria

The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), in partnership with the Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), and Ducit Blue Foundation, under the Global Health Workforce Programme (GHWP), has strengthened Nigeria’s emergency obstetric and newborn care ecosystem through a strategic handover of advanced simulation equipment and a two-day examiner training session for the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN).

Held at the Surgical Skills Centre of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), this high-level engagement served dual purposes: to refresh the clinical and assessment competencies of NPMCN Obstetrics and Gynaecology examiners using Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) methodologies, and to officially transfer critical simulation equipment aimed at bolstering the quality of training for Nigeria’s next generation of specialist doctors.

Representing Her Excellency Mrs. Toyin Ojora Saraki, WBFA Founder and Global Health Advocate, Mr. Williams Awotunde, Director of Programmes, delivered a goodwill message affirming WBFA’s long-standing commitment to frontline healthcare training, maternal and newborn health, and institutional capacity development.

He further reaffirmed WBFA’s co-lead role in the GHWP and traced the evolution of the LSTM-WBFA partnership from its early roots in Kwara State in 2015 to its current impact at national level. WBFA continues to serve as a catalytic health systems actor, embedding sustainability, equity, and evidence-based practice in medical education and maternal care.

In a symbolic gesture of cross-institutional collaboration, WBFA joined LSTM and Ducit Blue to hand over a suite of OSCE training equipment to NPMCN. These included Lucy & Mum obstetric simulators, Kiwi Omni Cups, Little Anne Combo Models, and Resusci Baby QCPR wireless units—cutting-edge tools to advance hands-on clinical competencies in managing maternal and neonatal emergencies.

The College has committed to integrating these tools within its curriculum and across affiliated institutions, with plans to decentralize training via new hubs in Port Harcourt and Gombe.

This initiative directly contributes to Nigeria’s goals under the Maternal Mortality Reduction and reinforces the country’s pathway to achieving Good Health and Well-being as well as Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

With over 75,000 maternal deaths reported in 2023, the need for targeted capacity-building is more urgent than ever. By supporting faculty development, standardized assessment, and equitable access to quality care, this programme is transforming not only individual competencies but the architecture of healthcare education in Nigeria.

Stakeholders in Attendance:

• Prof. Deji Oluwole (CMAC, LUTH and Faculty Chair, NPMCN)

• Dr. Salami Sule (College Registrar, NPMCN)

• Ms. Adenike Badiora (Grant Manager, Ducit Blue)

• Prof. Charles Ameh (Head of Public Health, LSTM)

• Ms. Helen Allott (Course Director, LSTM)

• Mr. Williams Awotunde (Director of Programmes, WBFA)

Prof. Ameh and Prof. Oluwole both acknowledged the transformative impact of the LSTM-WBFA partnership over the past decade, noting the critical role of Her Excellency Mrs. Toyin Saraki in anchoring this collaboration in purpose, people, and policy.

As the GHWP enters its extension phase, WBFA remains committed to accelerating the gains of the programme across all six geopolitical zones, enhancing equity, and amplifying Nigeria’s readiness to deliver safe, evidence-based obstetric and newborn care through simulation-based learning.

Press Release on Arise News

For press inquiries or additional information:

Rasheed Yusuf
Director, Policy, Advocacy, Innovation, Research & Development
rasheed.yusuf@wbfafrica.org