Israeli medical specialists have trained healthcare professionals at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, on managing life-threatening maternal emergencies as part of efforts to reduce preventable maternal deaths in Nigeria.
The five-day clinical training programme focused on postpartum haemorrhage, obstetric emergencies, thrombosis, haemostasis and emergency response protocols.
The programme, led by Professor Offer Erez, brought together doctors, obstetricians, gynaecologists, midwives, professors, clinical lecturers and other healthcare professionals for specialised instruction in life-saving maternal care.
According to a statement by the Embassy of Israel in Nigeria, the training comes amid concerns over the high burden of maternal deaths in the country, with postpartum haemorrhage remaining one of the leading causes of maternal mortality worldwide.
During a visit to Enugu State, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Israel in Nigeria, Ms Racheli Stavissky, reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s healthcare development through medical expertise, innovation and professional capacity building.
She said every mother deserved access to safe childbirth and quality emergency medical care, adding that strengthening emergency response systems and equipping healthcare professionals with advanced clinical skills were critical to preventing avoidable deaths.
“Israel is proud to share its medical expertise with our Nigerian partners. By equipping doctors, midwives and medical educators with advanced clinical skills, we are investing in solutions that can save lives long after this training ends,” Stavissky said.
She added that the embassy valued its partnership with UNTH and looked forward to expanding cooperation in maternal healthcare, medical education and emergency medicine.
The training featured evidence-based clinical instruction, high-fidelity medical simulations, practical sessions and multidisciplinary emergency response exercises.
Participants received specialised instruction in the early detection and management of obstetric haemorrhage, maternal stabilisation, haemostatic resuscitation, emergency blood transfusion protocols and coordinated clinical decision-making.
A key component of the programme was the Training-of-Trainers approach, designed to equip Nigerian healthcare professionals with the knowledge and practical skills to train colleagues and extend the benefits of the initiative to other healthcare institutions.
Erez commended the commitment and professionalism of the Nigerian participants, saying the programme was designed to strengthen the ability of healthcare teams to identify and manage life-threatening obstetric complications.
“It is a privilege to work alongside such dedicated medical professionals. The enthusiasm, clinical curiosity and commitment to learning have been remarkable,” he said.
He explained that combining simulation exercises with evidence-based haemorrhage management and multidisciplinary emergency response training would help bridge the gap between clinical knowledge and effective action during medical emergencies.
According to him, empowering Nigerian doctors, midwives and medical educators to transfer the skills acquired to other professionals would help build sustainable capacity and improve maternal health outcomes.
The Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, also welcomed the Israeli delegation, describing the initiative as an important contribution to healthcare development in the state.
Mbah said strengthening the healthcare system required not only investment in infrastructure but also continuous professional development, access to global expertise and the adoption of modern approaches to patient care.
He expressed appreciation to the Embassy of Israel and the medical specialists for the initiative, noting that the training would enhance the capacity of healthcare workers to respond to critical maternal emergencies.
The governor also expressed the state’s readiness to expand cooperation in medical education, healthcare innovation and institutional capacity development.
The Embassy of Israel said it remained committed to partnerships aimed at strengthening institutions, improving healthcare delivery and promoting the well-being of communities across Nigeria.