The Essential Training in Operative Obstetrics (ETOO) program was successfully conducted from 25th to 29th August 2025 at the Essential Surgical Skills Laboratory (ESS) of Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) and Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital.
This five-day intensive hands-on training brought together 12 health workers from Rugaga, Kabuyanda, Bwijanga, Nyamuyanja, Kikuube, Panyadoli, Kyangwali, Biiso, Ishongororo, Rwekubo, MORH, and Masindi Hospital.
The sessions were facilitated by a highly experienced team, including Honorary Professor Rogers Kajabwangu, Mr. Katungye Joseph, Dr. Paul Kato Kalyebara, Mr. Nahamya Alex, Mr. Adroma Moses, Ms. Naiga Patience, Dr. Wilson Birungi, and Dr. Daphine Ansimire, with technical support from Ms. Josephine Asiimwe and P4 Assistant Arnold Kamugisha.
Dr. Paul Kato emphasized that ETOO focuses on case scenarios, safe simulation, and systematic skill-building to enhance obstetric surgical competence and reduce maternal morbidity. Trainees received the course objectives, underwent a pre-test, and completed personal evaluation forms. Dr. Kato then led foundational sessions on principles of surgery, sepsis prevention, and knot-tying.
Key Training Activities
🔹 Handwashing Simulation, Surgical Principles & Hand Knotting: practiced proper hand-hygiene techniques and knot-tying—a vital foundation for safe obstetric surgery.
🔹 Labour Care Guide, Suturing Techniques & Vacuum Delivery: Using models such as Mama Natalie, trainees practiced vacuum delivery and perineal laceration repair under the guidance of Dr. Birungi.
🔹 Postpartum Hemorrhage, Retained Placenta & Cervical Laceration: Facilitators Dr. Kato, Dr. Byaruhanga, and Dr. Joel Kabanzaho delivered lectures on blood loss estimation and led simulations on PPH management.
The team also demonstrated the application of the Non-Pneumatic Anti-Shock Garment (NASG).
🔹 Bleeding, Ectopic Pregnancy & Surgical Checklists: Dr. Alex guided trainees through simulation exercises on laparotomy and salpingectomy.
🔹 Neonatal Resuscitation: Participants received practical training in newborn resuscitation, emphasizing timely and coordinated action to save newborn lives.
🔹 Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA): MVA procedures using watermelons to mimic uterine tissue—an effective method for safe and realistic learning.
🔹 Cesarean Section & Cesarean Hysterectomy: Cesarean delivery techniques and management of complications requiring hysterectomy.
🔹 Team training and role-play to enhance coordination, communication, and emergency response.
🔹 Bladder Injury Repair-focused on intraoperative injury recognition and repair techniques.
Closing Session
The training concluded with a debrief, post-test, and dissemination of observation worksheets, where Professor Joseph Ngonzi, Sub-project 4 team leader and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, delivered the closing remarks and commended the trainees for their dedication to improving maternal and newborn outcomes.
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