Niamey—In the Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (EmONC) simulation room at the Faculty of Health Sciences of Abdou Moumouni University in Niamey, future specialists train to manage complications before facing real-life situations. Among them, Dr Amina Garba Amadou, a fourth-year obstetrics and gynecology resident, spends several hours each week practicing on a neonatal mannequin. This tool reproduces critical situations and concretely transforms her learning. “With mannequins, I can repeat each gesture until I master it and that makes me much more confident,” she says.

In Niger, this initiative comes at a crucial time for strengthening maternal care. Pressure on maternal health facilities remains high, particularly at Issa Gazobi Maternity in Niamey, which recorded 7507 deliveries in 2019 and 8212 in 2025. Cesarean sections are predominant, with 5758 performed in 2025. This heavy workload reflects the pressure on health teams, who must act quickly and effectively, often in emergency contexts.

Faced with these constraints, the EmONC room provides a concrete solution. Students and residents develop their skills in a safe environment before handling real cases. This structured approach enhances learning and improves the quality of care. Advanced simulation equipment, including 78 mannequins provided with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and funding from a major partner, allows reproduction of a wide range of clinical scenarios close to real-life conditions.

The mannequins used in the EmONC room are not limited to obstetric situations. They also enable simulations of anesthesia procedures, resuscitation and neonatal emergencies. This diversity strengthens learners’ versatility and their ability to intervene in different clinical contexts.

For Professor Mady Nayama, Director General of Issa Gazobi Maternity and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the effects are visible daily. The constant influx of patients requires rapid, coordinated interventions by well-prepared teams. “Simulation has a direct impact on learning. Since the introduction of mannequins, residents’ performance has significantly improved,” he emphasizes.

At the maternity hospital, maternal mortality decreased from 1.87% in 2019 to 1.47% in 2025, while early neonatal mortality dropped from 7.98% to 6%. These results show tangible progress for mothers and newborns, in a context where obstetric complications remain a major challenge.

WHO relies on training tools adapted to field realities while ensuring patient safety. With growing student numbers and often saturated internship sites, new teaching approaches are essential. The EmONC room offers a space where future professionals can practice, review and consolidate their skills before joining clinical services. Dr Laouali Aissata Abdou, head of the reproductive health programme at WHO Niger, highlights this contribution: “The EmONC room meets a real need by providing a learning space where students can practice, review and strengthen their skills before entering clinical services,” she explains.

For learners, simulation goes far beyond theory: it enhances precision, autonomy and the ability to act in demanding environments. “It allows us to avoid certain mistakes we might make with mothers,” says Dr Amadou. Training without risk, analysing gestures and benefiting from regular supervision foster continuous progress. Repeated scenarios, practiced as often as necessary, enable practitioners to intervene with greater mastery in real situations.

Throughout her journey, Dr Amadou sees simulation as an indispensable tool to meet field requirements. In maternities facing sometimes complex complications, a high level of preparation is essential. The EmONC system provides her with a structured framework to refine her skills and act effectively in rapidly evolving situations.

When she speaks about her professional future, she highlights the progress these training hours have brought her. For her, simulation represents a decisive step in building her practice and allows her to envision her future role with confidence. “Simulation helps me gain maturity in my practice and to project myself calmly into the next stage of the profession,” she says.

Now integrated into the training pathway of future obstetrician-gynecologists, the EmONC room marks a turning point for maternal care in Niger. With targeted support and adapted tools, learners acquire the skills needed to assist women and their newborns in the most critical moments, thereby contributing to sustainably improving the quality of care.