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Background: Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) is a largely neglected tropical disease (NTD), with little or no attention in the primary health care unit. Towards building momentum to address this challenge, we investigated the perception of medical and para-medical students about FGS, as well as the expertise of health care professionals in Anambra State, Nigeria. Methodology: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 587 female medical and para-medical university students (MPMS), and 65 health care professionals (HCPs) saddled with the responsibility of delivering care for schistosomiasis-affected persons. Pretested questionnaires were administered to document the awareness and knowledge about the disease. In addition, the expertise of HCPs vis-à-vis suspicion of FGS and management of FGS patients during routine health care service were documented. Data were subjected to descriptive, chi-square tests and regression analysis in R software. Results: Over half of the students recruited; 54.2% for schistosomiasis and 58.1% for FGS, were not aware of the disease. Knowledge about schistosomiasis was associated with student's year of study, with those in 2nd (OR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.0, 2.7), 4th (OR: 1.97, 95% CI: 1.2, 3.2), and 6th (OR: 5.05, 95% CI: 1.2, 34.2) year having higher likelihoods of been more informed about schistosomiasis. For HCPs, we observed a contrastingly high knowledge about schistosomiasis (96.9%), but low knowledge about FGS (61.9%). Knowledge for both schistosomiasis and FGS was not associated with year of practice and expertise (95% OR included 1, p > 0.05). A considerable proportion (>40%) of the HCPs never suspected schistosomiasis during routine clinical diagnosis of patients who presented probable FGS symptoms (p < 0.05). Similarly, only 20% were certain about the use of praziquantel for treating FGS, and about 35% were uncertain of the eligibility criteria and dosage regimens. Commodities for managing FGS were also largely unavailable in about 39% of the health facilities where the HCPs operate. Conclusion: Awareness and knowledge about FGS among MPMS and HCPs were poor in Anambra, Nigeria. It is therefore important to invest in innovative methods of building capacity of MPMS and HCPs, with complementary provision of necessary diagnostics to perform colposcopy, as well as competence to diagnose pathognomonic lesions using diagnostic atlas or Artificial Intelligence (AI). Author summary: Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) is a neglected disease that is often mistaken for other sexually transmitted infections. The disease has thus received little attention at the primary health care unit until recent. To support the emerging momentum been built towards controlling this disease, we conducted this study to understand the knowledge and perception of FGS among medical and paramedical students (MPMS) who subsequently transform into HCPs, as well as expertise of current HCPs who are saddled with the responsibility of delivering care to FGS patients. 587 MPMS and 65 HCPs were interviewed in Anambra State, using well designed questionnaires. Our findings show that majority of the MPMS were not aware of schistosomiasis and FGS, but students in the 6th year of study have higher chances of been informed about schistosomiasis. However, almost all the HCPs were aware of schistosomiasis, but FGS awareness was very low. The HCPs also lack the capacity and resources to diagnose and manage FGS. This significant gap in knowledge, capacity and resources calls for development of FGS training materials, and its subsequent incorporation in curricula of medical students, and training of HCPs during routine schistosomiasis control programs. This should be complemented with the provision of necessary diagnostics to perform colposcopy, as well as building competence to diagnose pathognomonic lesions using diagnostic atlas or Artificial Intelligence (AI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]