Organizers
Abdul Sultan (United Kingdom)
Ranee Thakar (United Kingdom)
Steering Group
Jan Willem De Leeuw (Netherlands)
Natarajan Rajmaheswari (India)
Nicola Adanna Okeahialam ( (United Kingdom)
Svjetlana Lozo (USA)
PROTECT is a “train the trainer” program, with the main goal being to promote knowledge of obstetricians and midwives globally in the management of perineal trauma and episiotomy through structured training with a view to minimizing pelvic floor and perineal morbidity associated with childbirth.
To become a PROTECT-trained trainer the individual must successfully complete the PROTECT 4-Step process outlined below. Trainers acknowledge that completion of PROTECT in no way implies that IUGA has endorsed, certified, qualified or licensed them. Following successful completion of the program, trainers may signify they are a “PROTECT-trained trainer” for any OASIS course they teach or supervise. Trainers may not use the IUGA logo or the PROTECT name or logo in the promotion of any educational activities they organize outside the framework of IUGA's Annual Meetings, Regional Symposia, eXchange Programs, online courses or other IUGA-sponsored educational activities.
All PROTECT-trained trainers agree to 1) maintain their membership in IUGA as long as they are using the PROTECT-trained trainer designation, 2) provide the IUGA Office with notification of all OASIS courses they organize, supervise or teach using the PROTECT signifier, 3) provide the IUGA Office with course rosters of all course participants so that individuals’ progress through the PROTECT program may be tracked, and 4) audit change in practice by ensuring their course attendees complete a PROTECT pre-course questionnaire and a post-course questionnaire administered 3 months after their course.
Four-Step Process:
- Successfully complete the Theoretical Test*
- Attend the OASIS Hands-on Workshop at the IUGA Annual Meeting or one conducted by a PROTECT-trained trainer.*
- Attend the IUGA-sponsored PROTECT Workshop within 2 years of completing Step 2. Training must include teaching of episiotomy repair.
- Upload personal videos demonstrating your live surgical technique within 2 years of completing Step 2. More information on video submission can be found here.
*Steps 1 and 2 may be completed in any order.
Following successful completion of these 4 steps, participants will be awarded a certificate of completion of the PROTECT program. For more information, please contact the IUGA Executive Office (
IUGA congratulates the following individuals who have successfully completed the program:
Manisha Yadav (Nepal) - May 2026
Shasindran Ramanujam (Malaysia) - May 2025
Nikola Okeahialam (United Kingdom) - January 2024
Leonie de Jong-Speksnijder (The Netherlands) - August 2023
Shimon Ginath (Israel) - December 2021
José Antonio Saavedra Arcas (Spain) - June 2020
Kalaivani Ramalingam (India) - September 2018
Jeslyn Wong (Singapore) – November 2016
Edna Cortes (Mexico) - August 2016
Nadia Bhal (United Kingdom) – July 2016
Roy Ng Kwok Weng (Singapore) – June 2016
Kai Lyn Ng (Singapore) – June 2016
Lucas Schreiner (Brazil) - April 2016
Farah Lone (United Kingdom) - March 2016
Suvit Bunyavejchevin (Thailand) - November 2014
Emmanuel Karantanis (Australia) - July 2014
Jacqueline Smalldridge (New Zealand) - May 2014
Roger Capmartin Salinas (Colombia) - September 2013
Louise Jane Tomlinson (New Zealand) - September 2013
Rachid Alfred El Haddad (Czech Republic) - September 2013
Natarajan Rajamaheswari (India) - June 2013
More information about courses offered by PROTECT-trained trainers can be found here.
Disclaimer:
PROTECT is sponsored by the International Urogynecological Association (IUGA) for educational purposes only. The material presented is not intended to represent the only or the best method appropriate for the medical conditions discussed, but rather is intended to present the opinions of the presenters, which may be of assistance to other healthcare professionals to arrive at their own conclusions and consequent application. Participants do so with full knowledge that they waive any claim they may have against the IUGA for reliance on information presented during these activities. The IUGA does not guarantee, warrant or endorse any commercial products or services.
Completion of the PROTECT program in no way implies that IUGA has endorsed, certified, qualified or licensed the individual, or the health care providers they teach or supervise. Whilst a Certificate of Completion for the PROTECT program can be provided as proof that training has been successfully completed, the certificate is not a qualification, as IUGA is not an accrediting body. Furthermore, nothing about this program or its examination is intended to replace, override, or conflict with licensing requirements for healthcare professionals.
Copyright: The IUGA and PROTECT name and logo may not be used in the promotion of educational activities organized outside the framework of IUGA's Annual Meetings, Regional Symposia, eXchange Programs, online courses and other IUGA-sponsored educational activities. Courses using this signifier may only be offered following IUGA approval and may not be offered for profit.
