article · Frontiers in Medicine
Surgical conditions contribute significantly to illness and death in low- and middle-income countries. To address gaps in care, Nigeria established the National Surgical, Obstetrics, Anesthesia, and Nursing Plan. As part of this plan, a Basic Life Support training programme was introduced across six locations representing Nigeria's geopolitical zones. A retrospective study reviewed 220 healthcare workers, predominantly specialist physicians and trainees from specialised cleft care centres and public tertiary hospitals, who undertook the training. All participants successfully passed the post-training written and practical skills examinations. Participant feedback showed an increased understanding of effective team dynamics and high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Participants highlighted needs such as access to manual defibrillators, pre-training assessments, the integration of training into postgraduate curricula, and more frequent sessions to maintain preparedness.
Emergency preparedness among healthcare staff is critical for preventing avoidable deaths during surgery and acute care. By demonstrating the feasibility of nationwide life support training, this work outlines a clear pathway to raise clinical competency across hospitals. Strengthening these core skills helps ensure that national health strategies translate into safer surgical procedures and better patient survival rates.
This work represents an applied and tested training framework designed for hospital staff and healthcare training bodies. Potential commercial and public-sector opportunities centre on the supply of medical equipment, specifically manual defibrillators, as well as the provision of accredited professional development curricula and training materials for medical schools and specialist clinics. The model is already functioning in clinical environments and is ready for wider institutional adoption.
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Background: In many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including Nigeria, the burden of surgical conditions significantly contributes to morbidity and mortality rates. Nigeria developed the National Surgical, Obstetrics, Anesthesia, and Nursing Plan (NSOANP) to address gaps in surgical care delivery and improve health outcomes. The success of this plan depends on the preparedness and capacity of healthcare workers, particularly in emergency scenarios. Basic Life Support (BLS) training is essential to improving emergency preparedness and health outcomes. Methods: This is a retrospective review of 220 participants undergoing a BLS training programme deployed as part of implementation of Nigeria's NSOANP. Trainings were conducted at six locations representing Nigeria's geopolitical zones. Healthcare professionals, including nurses and physicians from specialized cleft care centers and public tertiary hospitals, participated. Post-training evaluations included multiple-choice and skills tests. A qualitative feedback survey assessed participants' self-perception of their skills. Results: The participants included 151 males (68.6%) and 69 females (31.4%). Most participants were specialist physicians (48.2%) and physician trainees (37.7%). All 220 participants passed the post-test written and skills assessments. Feedback indicated improved understanding of team dynamics and high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Key recommendations included providing manual defibrillators, incorporating pre-tests, retaining provider manuals, integrating BLS training into postgraduate curricula, and expanding training sessions. Conclusion: Integrating BLS training into the NSOANP implementation will improve emergency preparedness and competence among healthcare providers. This would potentially improve surgical outcomes. Participants' recommendations offer a roadmap for future improvements. Continued investment in BLS training is essential for building a responsive emergency healthcare system in Nigeria.
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DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2025.1644586
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