… As ANPA Marks 30th Anniversary with Lifesaving Training for Lagos Health Workers
In a powerful collaboration to reduce maternal and child mortality in Nigeria, the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA), in partnership with the Lagos State Government, has commenced a weeklong intensive capacity-building training for health workers across Lagos State, marking ANPA’s 30th anniversary with impact and purpose.
Apart from reducing maternal and child mortality, the training aims to improve emergency medical response and boost chronic disease management in public health facilities.
The training exercise, which began on Thursday, April 3, 2025, brings together healthcare professionals from secondary and primary health facilities across the state to upskill in critical areas, including obstetric emergencies, trauma response, life-saving interventions, and the management of chronic kidney disease.
The programme, held at Demeros Hotel and Suites, Agidingbi, Ikeja. was kicked off with a comprehensive training on Obstetrics Emergencies, specifically Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH). The session drew 20 healthcare workers selected from 10 health facilities identified with high incidences of maternal deaths.
Speaking at the event, the Director of Medical Administration, Training and Programmes at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Mazeedat Erinosho described the training as a strategic move to curb maternal mortality by empowering frontline health workers. “This collaboration with ANPA is to build the capacity of our healthcare workers in managing one of the leading causes of maternal mortality—postpartum hemorrhage,” she said.
According to Dr. Erinosho, the selected facilities were chosen based on data indicating a high prevalence of PPH. She explained that the trained participants would return to improve care at their stations and be responsible for cascading the knowledge to colleagues, thereby institutionalising the life-saving skills across the State.
The President of ANPA, Dr. Cliff Eke, who led the ANPA delegation from the United States, described this year’s ANPA Week as the most expansive in the association’s history. “This is the biggest of our ANPA weeks in 30 years. Lagos is the heartbeat of Nigeria, and what happens here can be replicated across the country,” he said.
Dr. Eke emphasised the importance of tackling postpartum hemorrhage, noting that it remains the number one killer of women during childbirth. “Losing over 500ml of blood after vaginal delivery, or 1000ml after a caesarean, can be fatal. This training equips our healthcare workers to prevent or manage such situations effectively,” he added.
The team lead for the obstetrics emergencies module at ANPA, Dr. Chinyere Anyaogu, reiterated the critical importance of early detection and aggressive intervention. “Postpartum hemorrhage can be catastrophic and happen quickly. Prevention and preparedness are key to reducing not just mortality, but also long-term morbidity for mothers,” she noted.
She praised the Lagos State Ministry of Health for its commitment and described Lagos as a strategic launchpad for systemic change. “If we can make a dent in maternal mortality here, we can replicate the success across Nigeria,” she said.
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at FMC Ebute Metta, Dr. Odofin James Taiye, one of the facilitators, said the hands-on training would prepare participants to make critical decisions during emergencies. “We’re not just teaching theory; this is practical, life-saving work. Knowing when to escalate care can be the difference between life and death,” he said.
Participants at the training expressed gratitude for the opportunity to gain advanced knowledge and skills. Dr. Juliet Obiorah, Senior Medical Officer at Amuwo Odofin Maternal and Child Centre, described the session as timely and impactful. “I have learned to assess post-delivery bleeding thoroughly and when to escalate care to prevent fatalities,” she said.
Dr. Ogheneovo Okpare, Medical Officer at General Hospital, Gbagada, praised the organisers for the initiative. “This training has sharpened our skills in estimating blood loss, using uterotonics, and identifying birth canal injuries. We are ready to step down the training and improve maternal care in our hospitals,” he said.
Other key training sessions in the weeklong programme include “Stop the Bleed” and “Basic Life Support” sessions on Friday, April 4, at the LCCI Conference and Exhibition Centre in Alausa. A Chronic Kidney Disease training is scheduled for Saturday, April 5, while a two-day “Helping Babies Survive” workshop will round off the programme from April 7 to 8.
The ANPA 30th anniversary celebration, anchored on health equity and capacity building, continues to underline the association’s commitment to “giving back to the motherland” through impactful partnerships and service delivery.
As Lagos State continues to battle the challenges of maternal and child mortality, the collaboration with ANPA represents a significant step forward in strengthening the state’s health workforce and ultimately improving healthcare outcomes for its residents.