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Tag: Wellbeing Foundation Africa

  • LSTM, Wellbeing Foundation Africa, others celebrate as global health programme concludes

    LSTM, Wellbeing Foundation Africa, others celebrate as global health programme concludes

    The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), and various health partners have joined forces with key global and local stakeholders to celebrate the successful conclusion of the Global Health Workforce Programme (GHWP) 2024.

    The Nigeria Sharing and Learning Event, held in Abuja and led by in-country Grant Manager Ducit Blue Solutions, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health, brought together experts, health partners, and institutions, including the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, World Health Organisation, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, and Pharmacy Council of Nigeria. 

    The event reflected on the programme’s achievements, lessons learned, and its lasting impact on strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system.

    “I am honored to mark the significant progress we have made in strengthening the health workforce in Nigeria through the Global Health Workforce Programme. Today, we celebrate not only our achievements but also the resilience and dedication of our healthcare workers who have worked tirelessly to deliver quality healthcare services to the Nigerian people. Let us continue to work together to build a stronger, more resilient health system for Nigeria,” said Dr. Kamila Shoretire, Director of Health Planning, Research & Statistics, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Nigeria.

    Read Also: 94-year-old man registers for 2025 UTME to study political science in UI

    Since its launch, the Global Health Workforce Programme has supported 14 health partners across Nigeria, the UK, Ghana, and Kenya, training 2,577 health workers in clinical skills, leadership, education, and Gender Equality & Social Inclusion (GESI). 

    These efforts are already contributing to improved healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.

    In her opening remarks, H.E. Toyin Saraki, Founder and President of Wellbeing Foundation Africa, emphasized the importance of investing in health workers: “The Global Health Workforce Programme is a transformative initiative designed to optimize, build, and strengthen the health workforce, supporting more resilient health systems post-pandemic and advancing progress towards Universal Health Coverage in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3. 

    Through its Health Partnership Initiative, GHWP fosters cross-border learning and capacity strengthening, ensuring that health professionals are well-equipped to provide high-quality care where it is needed most.”

    During a panel session on sustainability and the impact of training interventions, Prof. Charles Ameh, Head of the Global Health Emergency Obstetric and Quality of Care Unit at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, highlighted the programme’s success. 

    He noted the strong partnership between Wellbeing Foundation Africa and the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN), which led to the successful implementation of the initiative.”

    We have trained 95 consultants, 82 of whom are from the College. We also established two Centres of Excellence in Lagos and Abuja, fully equipped to reduce travel time for participants.

    Through our close collaboration with the College, we were able to tailor the training to reach more residents from affiliated institutions. Another key sustainability milestone is the integration of the Advanced Obstetrics Skills Course into the NPMCN curriculum.”

    In a press interview, Mrs. Estelle Mbadiwe, Founding Partner of Ducit Blue Solutions, emphasized the programme’s impact: “This initiative, conducted in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Health, began with a comprehensive scoping activity where we engaged multiple stakeholders working with health workers across Nigeria. We identified national priorities critical to strengthening the health workforce, advancing Universal Health Coverage, and building a resilient healthcare system capable of meeting the country’s needs.”

    Through the Health Partnership, LSTM, NPMCN, and WBFA have made a tangible impact, training 225 doctors in the Advanced Obstetrics Surgical Skills Course (AOSS). Centers of Excellence have been established in Abuja and Lagos, with additional training sessions held in Kano and Enugu, strengthening the capacity of healthcare professionals across the country. 

    By embedding the AOSS curriculum into postgraduate medical education, this initiative is securing long-term improvements in maternal and neonatal care, creating a stronger and more resilient healthcare system for Nigeria.

    This project is funded through the Global Health Workforce Programme, supported by the UK Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), benefiting both the UK and partner country health sectors.

  • LSTM, NPMCN, Wellbeing Foundation Africa conclude 2024 AOSS training

    LSTM, NPMCN, Wellbeing Foundation Africa conclude 2024 AOSS training

    …with final lap in Lagos

    The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) in collaboration with the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN) and supported by the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, has commenced the final phase of the Advanced Obstetrics Surgical Skills (AOSS) Training for 2024 in Lagos State.

    Under the Global Health Workforce Programme, this training aims to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system by equipping resident doctors with advanced surgical skills to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes.

    To date, the project has successfully trained 82 NPMCN examiners and 118 residents from affiliated institutions across Abuja, Kano, Enugu, and Lagos.

    This milestone reflects the year-long effort to enhance the surgical skills and decision-making capabilities of obstetrics and gynecology doctors, addressing gaps in managing obstetric complications. 

    According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Nigeria contributes to 20% of global maternal deaths, further proving the importance of this training.

    Read Also: LSTM, Wellbeing Foundation Africa extend advanced obstetrics training to Kano 

    At the opening session in Lagos on Monday, December 9, 2024, participants were introduced to the course objectives and the broader significance of the training. 

    Dr. Oluwole Ayodeji, Faculty Chairman of Obstetrics and Gynecology at NPMCN, encouraged participants with his remarks, emphasizing the impact of the program on Nigeria’s healthcare system and faculty.

    Throughout the year, the AOSS training has adopted a competency-based learning approach, seamlessly blending technical expertise with decision-making skills.

    Participants have consistently reported increased confidence in managing complex obstetric cases in their various institutions, demonstrating the program’s effectiveness in addressing the country’s healthcare challenges.

  • Wellbeing Foundation Africa, Reckitt, others partner to launch Project Oscar

    Wellbeing Foundation Africa, Reckitt, others partner to launch Project Oscar

    The Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), in partnership with Reckitt, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, NEST360, SCIDaR, the Lagos State Ministry of Health, and various private and public healthcare facilities, has officially launched Project Oscar – Light for Life. 

    This initiative focuses on neonatal jaundice screening, treatment, and kernicterus prevention across Nigeria.

    The launch took place on December 3, 2024, at Four Points by Sheraton, Lagos, Nigeria, coinciding with the International Day of Persons with Disability.

    Distinguished attendees include government officials and departments, special advisers, global health experts, NGOs, and representatives from various ministries. The event brings together a wide array of stakeholders committed to improving neonatal care and tackling the challenges of neonatal jaundice in Nigeria.

    Project Oscar – Light for Life aims to address the urgent challenges surrounding neonatal jaundice (NNJ) in Nigeria, a condition affecting approximately 60% of term neonates and up to 100% of preterm infants. NNJ remains a leading cause of preventable brain damage, including conditions like kernicterus and cerebral palsy, despite the availability of effective and affordable treatments. Challenges such as inadequate diagnostic tools, unreliable phototherapy equipment, and widespread misconceptions about the condition continue to hinder proper management.

    Project Oscar – Light For Life seeks to close these gaps by providing healthcare facilities with essential tools, such as phototherapy units and bilirubinometers, ensuring accurate diagnoses and timely treatment. The program also includes training for healthcare professionals on recognizing and managing NNJ and raising awareness among mothers and families to dispel common myths. Originally launched in Vietnam in 2019 by young disability activist Oscar Anderson MBE, the program is now expanding to Nigeria as part of a broader effort to reduce neonatal mortality and prevent lifelong disabilities. This initiative aligns with global health priorities and seeks collaboration with international bodies, including the World Health Organization (WHO), to integrate NNJ management into global neonatal care policies and guidelines.

    The launch of Project Oscar coincides with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, reinforcing this year’s theme: “Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future.” 

    This theme highlights the important role of persons with disabilities in fostering a more inclusive world. Global disability activist Oscar Anderson leads and attends the launch. This project exists because of Oscar’s advocacy and Reckitt’s support.

    Read Also: LSTM, Wellbeing Foundation Africa extend advanced obstetrics training to Kano 

    Her Excellency Toyin Saraki, Founder and President of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, remarked, “Today, we celebrate the leadership of Oscar Anderson MBE, who joins us with his parents, Charles and Sarah. His advocacy and lived experience have been the driving force behind this program and the Light for Life campaign. 

    Oscar’s journey is a testament to how personal challenges can inspire meaningful global solutions, solutions that save lives and prevent disabilities.”

    Akbar Ali Shah, Chief Executive Officer of Reckitt Sub-Saharan Africa, said, “Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in our mission to improve health outcomes in Nigeria. 

    With the launch of Project Oscar, we are tackling a silent yet devastating challenge: neonatal jaundice. This preventable condition continues to endanger the lives of millions of newborns globally and is the eighth leading cause of death among newborns in Sub-Saharan Africa, with Nigeria ranking among the countries most affected by NNJ. 

    At Reckitt, we believe collaboration is the cornerstone of impactful change, which is why we are proud to partner with governments, development organizations, and healthcare systems to make life-saving interventions sustainable and accessible.”

    Oscar Anderson MBE, One Young World Champion, and Disability Activist, expressed his excitement: “I am so pleased and proud to be here today to launch the next chapter of this project so we can help even more babies. The work doesn’t stop until every baby is protected against neonatal jaundice. Newborns must get this life-changing blue-light treatment immediately. Where there is no access, it fuels resentment, anger, and frustration. That’s why Project Oscar is especially relevant for mums and their newborns.”

    Professor Chinyere Ezeaka, Head of Pediatrics at the College of Medicine, LUTH, added, “Zero tolerance to neonatal jaundice & kernicterus in Lagos state. A baby can be born with neonatal jaundice, but no baby should be allowed to develop kernicterus.”

  • LSTM, Wellbeing Foundation Africa extend advanced obstetrics training to Kano 

    LSTM, Wellbeing Foundation Africa extend advanced obstetrics training to Kano 

    The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), in collaboration with the Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), has taken a significant step toward bolstering Nigeria’s healthcare workforce by launching a three-day Advanced Obstetrics and Surgical Skills (AOSS) training in Kano.

    The program, which commenced on Monday, November 18, at the Provost Complex of Bayero University Kano’s College of Health Sciences, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, is equipping 31 medical residents from institutions affiliated with the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN).

    As a key part of the Global Health Workforce Program, this training is funded by the UK Department of Health and Social Care. 

    The programme supports Health Partnerships between UK and African institutions, aiming to develop a more resilient health workforce across Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria.

    Read Also: LSTM partners Wellbeing Foundation Africa to train NPMCN residents

    Bidirectional learning is at the heart of the Health Partnership model, said Dr. Hauwa Mohammed, Country Director, LSTM. 

    “This approach not only transfers knowledge and skills but also fosters collaboration between institutions to create sustainable improvements in healthcare delivery.”  

    The AOSS training equips resident doctors with critical, hands-on obstetric and surgical skills necessary to manage life-threatening complications during pregnancy and childbirth. 

    This effort is crucial as it aims to reduce Nigeria’s high maternal and neonatal mortality rates, which remain a significant public health challenge.  

    Miss. Jennifer Eziuloh, Advocacy and Communications Manager at WBFA, emphasized the importance of the partnership, stating, “This training highlights our shared commitment to empowering healthcare professionals with the tools they need to save lives. It is through partnerships like this that we can make meaningful efforts in achieving equitable and quality healthcare for all.”  

    The partnership between LSTM and WBFA demonstrates a shared dedication to strengthening Nigeria’s health systems by addressing workforce gaps and fostering practical, impactful learning opportunities. With a focus on long-term capacity building, the Global Health Workforce Program is geared towards a healthier and more resilient Nigeria.