Maternal Deaths Under Siege As Nigeria Trains Army Of 360 Medical Specialists

In a significant step toward improving maternal healthcare, the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), and the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN) have successfully trained over 220 resident doctors and 140 consultants in advanced obstetric and emergency care skills for pregnant women.

According to IReporter Online, this milestone was highlighted during an event marking the conclusion of the costed extension phase of the Global Health Workforce Programme (GHWP) Local Grant 130.

The programme has fortified emergency obstetric and newborn care training across all geopolitical zones of Nigeria, positioning it as a pivotal intervention in reducing maternal mortality.

Mrs. Toyin Saraki, Founder and President of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa and former First Lady of Kwara State, emphasised the transformational impact of the training.

“We are addressing a critical delay in care—namely the shortage of skilled hands at the point of delivery—by building a national network of proficient obstetric clinicians. This is not just training, it’s a lifesaving movement,” she stated.

She added that the success in Kwara State, where the programme had already led to reduced maternal mortality and birth injuries, was a motivating factor to expand the initiative nationwide.

According to IReporter Online, the inclusion of this training in the national medical curriculum marks a new era in Nigeria’s maternal health journey.

Professor Ayodeji Oluwole, Chairman of the Faculty of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at NPMCN, explained the programme’s practical orientation: “You must master the skills on mannequins before applying them to real-life situations.

This programme prepares our doctors to save lives immediately.”

He disclosed that doctors are currently undergoing training at the National Hospital Abuja, adding that the initiative is key to achieving the federal government’s maternal health goals.

Professor Sanusi Ibrahim of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital pointed out the stark regional inequalities in maternal mortality, especially in northern Nigeria.

He stressed that while this programme has empowered frontline health workers, sustainability hinges on political will, policy implementation, and public awareness.

According to IReporter Online, stakeholders unanimously called for sustained funding, full national rollout, and strict enforcement of maternal healthcare policies to ensure the long-term success of this intervention.

”IREPORTER REPORTS”