New Project Launch: Making Caesarean Section Safer in Kano, Nigeria
With over 27,000 births annually in the region, the project targets critical gaps in surgical training, teamwork, and patient safety—aiming to turn global guidelines into local best practices.
Training in Action: Local surgical teams in Kano, Nigeria participate in hands-on simulation exercises as part of a new SURGfund-supported initiative to improve the safety of caesarean section care for the many mothers who need it—within a health system that serves over 27,000 births each year.
Improving Access to Safe Caesarean Section Care
In August 2025, the Global Surgery Foundation launched a new initiative under its Women’s Health Programme to expand access to safe, timely, and respectful caesarean section (CS) care for mothers in Kano State, Nigeria.
In partnership with the Africa Center of Excellence for Population Health and Policy (ACEPHAP), led by its Director Professor Hadiza Galadanci, and supported by SURGfund, the project aims to reach more than 27,000 women who give birth in Kano each year.
A Life-Saving Need in Kano State
Nigeria has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, accounting for over a quarter (28%) of all global maternal deaths. In Kano State, caesarean section (CS) can be a critical intervention to save the lives of mothers and newborns—but only when delivered safely. In low- and middle-income countries, women are up to 100 times more likely to die after a CS compared to those in high-income countries.
To address this urgent need, the Global Surgery Foundation and ACEPHAP are working together to strengthen surgical care across the state. Through targeted training, mentorship, and health systems support, the initiative is building surgical capacity across 10 facilities using a hub-and-spoke model.
“It was the best workshop I’ve been to.” — Training Participant
Leadership in Focus: Professor Hadiza Galadanci (centre), lead trainer, alongside local stakeholders during the launch of the SURGfund-supported initiative to strengthen caesarean section care in Kano State, Nigeria.
Training That Goes Beyond the Operating Room
With new financial commitments to SURGfund, investments in surgical care have become a frontline strategy to strengthen health systems. Read more
From 18 to 29 August, 58 health professionals took part in a comprehensive training programme that combined theory, simulation, and site visits. This included the development of 9 local trainers and the training of an additional 49 surgical team members—including surgeons, anaesthetists, operating theatre nurses, midwives, and post-operative ward nurses.
“The workshop was excellent...Besides the new skills and the knowledge acquired, I appreciated the way the facilitators respected us,” shared one participant. “It was the best workshop I’ve been to.”
“I enjoyed the emphasis on teamwork and the surgical safety checklist” — Training Participant
Patient safety was a central focus of the training, with practical guidance on preventing surgical site infections and managing potential complications. “I enjoyed the emphasis on teamwork and the surgical safety checklist,” shared one participant. “It really showed me how simple steps can prevent errors and improve patient outcomes.”
Hands-On Simulation for Safer Surgeries: Dr. John Varallo, Lead of the Global Surgery Foundation’s Women’s Health Programme, guides participants through a simulation during the caesarean section safety training in Kano, Nigeria. The SURGfund-supported training blends simulation, theory, and mentorship to build surgical team capacity.
Building Local Leadership for Lasting Impact
The training was preceded by a two-day training-of-trainers (ToT) workshop, which empowered nine surgical team members from Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital and Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital to serve as facilitators during the clinical training.
These local trainers will continue to support participants through a blended mentorship model in the months ahead—combining in-person follow-up with ongoing guidance via GSF’s online learning platform, SURGhub.
Focusing on Safer Surgeries: A training participant practices the correct use of the adapted WHO Surgical Safety Checklist—the initiative aims to achieve 90% checklist use in participating facilities across Kano State.
High-Level Support from Local Leaders
Local leadership played a critical role in the successful launch of the project. The kickoff was attended by representatives from the Kano State Ministry of Health, the Commissioner of Health, and leadership from Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. Facilitators and participants also had the honour of meeting with the Emir of Kano, who expressed his strong support for the initiative to improve care for women and their newborns.
Representatives from the Global Surgery Foundation, ACEPHAP, and training participants were received by His Highness the Emir of Kano in recognition of the collaborative efforts to improve maternal health and surgical care across the state.
SURGfund Momentum Driving Long-Term Change
This initiative is supported by SURGfund, including funding from the Republic and State of Geneva.
This project is a key part of the Global Surgery Foundation’s Women’s Health Strategy 2025–2027 and contributes to SURGfund’s mission to build strong surgical care systems. The initiative is also made possible with support from the Canton of Geneva, reflecting the importance of international solidarity in advancing maternal health.
With continued follow-up and mentorship delivered through SURGhub, we’re building on this momentum to ensure long-term impact—translating global guidelines into national best practices alongside local teams.
Snapshots from the Field: Highlights from the SURGfund-supported initiative in Kano, Nigeria—featuring training sessions, mentorship activities, local leadership engagement, and the collective efforts to make caesarean section care safer for thousands of women each year.
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