Aminata Koroma never planned to become a midwife. Growing up in a community where maternal deaths were common, she often heard heartbreaking stories of women who lost their lives during childbirth. But it wasn’t until she began her Maternal and Child Community Health training that she witnessed, firsthand, the life-saving work of midwives.
The way they handled complicated deliveries, the urgency in their actions—it inspired me, she recalls. I knew I had to be part of the solution.
Determined to make a difference, Aminata enrolled at the School of Midwifery in Bo, where she received comprehensive training in maternal and newborn care. The programme, supported by UNFPA in partnership with the UK Government through FCDO, provided not only technical skills but also hands-on experience in managing emergencies.
We were trained to detect danger signs early, handle abnormal cases, and know when to call for advanced medical intervention, she explains.
Now working in the Bo Government Hospital labour ward, Aminata faces life-and-death situations daily. One case remains etched in her memory.
A 23-year-old woman arrived at the hospital, bleeding profusely. Time was against us. I spoke to her, reassured her, and our prompt intervention saved her life, she says.
These experiences fuel her passion to continue fighting maternal mortality in Sierra Leone.
We’re seeing progress—fewer women are dying in childbirth. But we still need more resources, more midwives, and better equipment, she emphasizes.
Aminata is a testament to the transformative power of the Midwifery Programme which was a vital partnership between UNFPA, the Ministry of Health and the UK Government. Sierra Leone has made remarkable progress in midwifery, increasing the number of trained midwives from fewer than 100 in 2010 to approximately 1,800 in 2024. Through sustained investment in midwifery training and essential maternal healthcare, more women have the opportunity to experience safe childbirth and return home to their families.
For Aminata Koroma, every safe delivery is a reminder of why she chose this path.
Midwifery is more than a profession—it's a calling to protect the lives of mothers and babies, she declares resolutely. "And I will always answer that call."
