Strengthening safe children’s surgical care in Nigeria through paediatric advanced life support training

Abstract

Background Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is a fundamental intervention for treating cardiac arrest, particularly when executed promptly and accurately. Paediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), developed by the American Heart Association (AHA), is a specialized training designed for the emergency care of infants and children. Nigeria’s National Surgical Obstetric Anaesthesia and Nursing Plan (NSOANP) has prioritized emergency preparedness and, in collaboration with a cleft-focused organization (Smile Train Incorporated, New York), deployed PALS training across the country. This report evaluates the scope and short-term outcomes of this training initiative, highlighting its potential role in enhancing paediatric surgical safety and outcomes in resource-limited settings. Methods A retrospective review of 106 participants and 2 instructors trained in PALS over a period of 3 years. Results A total of 106 participants, including 67 (70.7%) males and 39 (38.6%) females, from diverse specialties, were trained across the six geopolitical zones of the country. Participants included 75 (70.8%) consultants and 31 (29.2%) junior doctors. All participants passed the post-test and received AHA certification. The median pre-test score was 81% compared to the median post-test score of 92% (p 0.05). Feedback indicated 100% improvement in skills, confidence in handling paediatric emergencies, and satisfaction with the training quality. Participants expressed willingness to disseminate their newly acquired skills to colleagues. In addition, 2 instructors trained during the period have been involved in training participants for basic life support as well as PALS. Conclusions The implementation of PALS training under NSOANP improved the knowledge and skills of healthcare providers in managing paediatric emergencies. This initiative demonstrates the potential impact of structured life support training in strengthening paediatric surgical safety and outcomes in low-resource settings.