Proscovia Auma: The Resilient Midwife Saving Mothers' Lives in Mbale

In the bustling maternity ward of Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, Proscovia Auma serves as a beacon of hope and expertise. At 41, this nursing officer embodies resilience, drawing from her own tough upbringing as an orphan to fuel her passion for midwifery.

Orphaned at five, Auma was raised by relatives and supporters, witnessing the stigma her teenage cousin faced as a young mother. Vowing to forge a different path, she pursued nursing against the odds, starting with a midwifery certificate from Kamuli School in 2007 despite financial struggles and family doubts.

Joining Mbale Hospital in 2011, she advanced her education relentlessly, earning diplomas, a bachelor’s in midwifery, and a postgraduate in medical education amid setbacks like exam retakes and workplace criticism after a tragic loss.

Midwifery tests her daily with joys of healthy births and pains of complications, such as a heartbreaking case of postpartum hemorrhage she couldn’t prevent. Yet, seeing mothers discharge with their babies renews her drive.

Auma leads mentorship initiatives backed by Seed Global Health, contributing to a sharp drop in maternal deaths—from 1,117 to 594 per 100,000 live births between 2024 and 2025. Efforts include training for Busitema University students, better referrals, blood supply improvements, and mortality audits.

Her nurturing extends to adopting two abandoned babies, proving motherhood transcends biology. A typical shift involves overseeing 24-30 daily deliveries, managing supplies, and staying vigilant amid staffing shortages and long hours.

Auma shares wisdom for healthcare women: persist through rejection, lead by serving, learn continuously, and savor each victory.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)