UNFPA maternal & Newborn Health
Uganda
Edinah, 29, is a midwife and nurse at Kisugu Health Centre III in Kampala, where she has been working since 2019. Alongside working with pregnant refugees from Democratic Republic of Congo, she has also encountered a high level of teenage pregnancy.
"There is a 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 parents. I wish and dream that there will be a centre 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 was 12 when she helped to deliver her younger sister. Edinah's mother instructed her through the birthing process and cutting the umbilical cord. Unfortunately, due to complications Edinah's sister died a few days later. This experience made her begin to understand the importance of proper access to maternal healthcare and set her on a course to pursing her calling as a nurse and midwife.
"I felt joy bringing new life into the world".
"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."
Uganda
Edinah, 29, is a midwife and nurse at Kisugu Health Centre III in Kampala, where she has been working since 2019. Alongside working with pregnant refugees from Democratic Republic of Congo, she has also encountered a high level of teenage pregnancy.
"There is a 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 parents. I wish and dream that there will be a centre 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 was 12 when she helped to deliver her younger sister. Edinah's mother instructed her through the birthing process and cutting the umbilical cord. Unfortunately, due to complications Edinah's sister died a few days later. This experience made her begin to understand the importance of proper access to maternal healthcare and set her on a course to pursing her calling as a nurse and midwife.
"I felt joy bringing new life into the world".
"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."