While on assignment in Kisugu Health Centre III in Kampala, Uganda I encountered a tireless, remarkable, filled with compassion, 29-year-old nurse and midwife named Edinah. It was while she was assisting a young woman, Samiya (23), a refugee from DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) who was expecting her first baby. At the time, she was experiencing intense pain and was waiting in labour that could happen anytime. Edinah examined her for the fundal height around the symphysial lie and position in the sides and was looking for the presenting part and how far it has engaged above the symphysial. Later, she used a fetal heart rate monitor to measure how fast the baby’s heart is beating while both parents listened; this first-time mum-to-be was accompanied by her husband who diligently look after his wife and baby, as he was very concerned about the arrival of his baby. Edinah, kindly comforted them and assured them of the good health of mum and baby, calmed them and raised mum’s confidence for the hard work ahead of her.
Afterwards, she was standing and moving around to manage her pain during contractions and to help to naturally progress the labour. Her husband was by her side the whole time, comforting her during these painful moments. It lasted through the night until dawn. But at the end she safely delivered a healthy, beautiful son. Edinah serves as “psychologist (counselor) and friend”. She listens, guides and empowers the women by giving them the support they need to better understand their physical and emotional journeys through pregnancy and after the birth of a child. She has dedicated seemingly every waking moment to help others – in a time and place where pain and need is so great. She possesses a kindred spirit that heals and she cares enough to do her work with excellence.

She was only 12 years old when for the first time she helped to deliver a baby to her own mother who was instructing her what to do, even when and how she should cut the baby’s umbilical cord. Unfortunately, a few days later the baby sister died due to complications. Then, she realized and fully understood the risk involved during delivery and how important it is to have access to health care professionals.
Notwithstanding, Edinah’s childhood experience with birth was a very challenging and tremendously touching one; Edinah says „I felt joy bringing new life into the world”. And since that moment she decided to pursue her calling to become a nurse and a midwife. She says „To be a midwife is joyful but at the same time can be very stressful as sometimes you have to deal with anything that might unexpectedly arise. As well, it takes three components to be a great midwife: first knowledge and continuous learning, second: passion, to feel a sense of connectedness and desire, and third: faith, to have the confidence in what you do.”
Since 2019 she has been working in Kisugu Health Centre III where she worked with many
teenage pregnancy cases. „There is lack of mental health support in reproductive health for young teenage girls, who are afraid to speak about guidance and frank information about sex with their own parents. I wish and dream that there will be a center where young girls and women could freely come and learn about reproductive and sexual health and their rights and could receive the psychosocial support they urgently need.” Edinah says.

She is a mum of a 2 year old boy named Champion.