Structured Operative Obstetrics (SOO) Course
The Structured Operative Obstetrics (SOO) Course is a specialized training program designed to equip healthcare professionals with the clinical, management, and surgical skills required to safely perform caesarean sections and other essential obstetric procedures.
Why This Course Matters
In many low-resource settings, particularly across parts of Africa, there is a critical shortage of trained healthcare professionals. This gap often prevents women from receiving timely and adequate care during labour and delivery—contributing significantly to higher rates of maternal and neonatal complications.
The SOO Course directly addresses this challenge by building practical skills and strengthening clinical confidence among healthcare providers.
Learning Approach
This course is designed to be:
- Participant-centered – focused on active engagement and learning
- Problem-based – addressing real-world clinical scenarios
- Clinically relevant – aligned with the realities of healthcare delivery in resource-limited settings
Through structured, hands-on training, participants develop strong surgical techniques while improving decision-making in obstetric care.
Proven Impact
First piloted in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 2007, the SOO Course has since been successfully delivered multiple times across countries such as:
- Uganda
- Rwanda
- Ethiopia
- Tanzania
By reinforcing essential surgical skills and addressing critical workforce gaps, the course continues to play a vital role in improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes.