Press conference in Lagos highlights equipment handover, training rollout, and impact of global partnerships on maternal health outcomes in Nigeria
Segun Atanda/
As Nigeria grapples with one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) and the Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA) have taken a giant step forward in empowering the nation’s maternal healthcare workforce.
Under the Global Health Workforce Programme (GHWP), both organizations convened a press conference and equipment handover ceremony today, at the Surgical Skills Centre, College of Medicine, Idi-Araba, Lagos.
Themed “The Importance of Strategic Partnerships in Contemporary Medical Examination: Empowering Obstetricians, Saving Lives”, the event underscored the critical role of collaboration in strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to manage obstetric emergencies through structured training and simulation.
A major highlight of the event was the donation of obstetric simulation equipment worth ₦22 million to the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN). The high-tech package includes 16 Kiwi Omni Cups, Resusci Baby QCPR wireless units, Little Anne Combo models, and Lucy and Mum obstetric simulators, which will be deployed in medical institutions nationwide to support objective clinical assessments.
Delivering a keynote on “The LSTM-WBFA-NPMCN GHWP Project: The Pathway to Impact,” Professor Charles Ameh, Head of the Department of International Public Health at LSTM, emphasized the long-term vision behind the project:
He said, “This initiative is not only training individuals—it is transforming systems. The investments made today will yield generations of safer deliveries.”
Ameh also put the cost of equipping two other training centres in the Phase 1 of the project at N125million.
The GHWP project, which previously trained 82 examiners and 120 resident doctors in Advanced Obstetric Surgical Skills (AOSS), is now scaling up through a newly approved extension to train 64 additional resident doctors. New training hubs have been established in Port Harcourt (South-South) and Gombe (North-East), ensuring equitable access to clinical excellence across all six geopolitical zones.
Representing Global Health Partnerships (GHP) and Ducit Blue Solutions, Ms. Adenike Badiora, Grant Manager of the GHWP, delivered a compelling goodwill message that situated the project within global development goals. “With Nigeria’s maternal mortality ratio at 1,047 deaths per 100,000 live births, the country must accelerate progress toward the SDG target of less than 70 by 2030. This project, through strategic partnerships, is designed to bridge the health workforce gap and build resilient systems for sustainable impact,” she said.
She emphasized that today’s gesture “is more than a donation; it is a symbol of what is possible when we come together with one vision. By strengthening clinical training and supporting the next generation of medical professionals, we are taking one more vital step toward reducing preventable deaths and ensuring that every woman and child has access to timely, quality emergency care.”
A dynamic panel discussion moderated by Dr. Helen Allott featured four trained Master Trainers, who shared firsthand insights on the transformative impact of AOSS training. The session provided a practitioner-level perspective on how simulation-based teaching and modern tools are enhancing confidence and competence among frontline obstetricians.
Dr. Salami Sule, Registrar of the NPMCN, expressed gratitude for the donation and stressed its long-term significance. “These mannequins are not just equipment—they are vital tools that will enhance clinical skills training, improve competence, and ultimately contribute to safer and more effective healthcare delivery across Nigeria,” he said.
He assured stakeholders that the equipment will be put to optimal use: “They will serve as silent teachers, helping to shape the next generation of highly skilled medical specialists in Nigeria. Together, we share a common vision—a world where health professionals are empowered with the right knowledge, tools, and resources to save lives and improve health outcomes.”
Other key participants included: Prof. Oluwole Deji, Faculty Chair, NPMCN; Mr. Williams Awotunde, representing WBFA Founder, Mrs. Toyin Saraki; Representatives from LUTH, Federal Medical Centre Abuja, and the Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare.
The initiative aligns with the Nigerian Government’s Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiatives (MAMII) and advances national goals for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3)—ensuring healthy lives and well-being for all.
Funded by the UK Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and implemented by Global Health Partnerships, the project continues to set a new standard for medical education, through curriculum reform, examiner development, and strategic decentralization of training excellence.
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