Midwife Esther Madudu receives the REAL award flanked by left Ugandan Minister of Health, Hon Dr Christine Ondoa and right Uganda Country Director, Abenet Berhanu
Midwife Esther Madudu, the face of AMREF’s Stand up for African Mothers campaign was awarded the REAL Award at Atiriri Health Centre IV in Katine District in Uganda on Monday April 15, 2013.
In September 2012, following a recommendation by AMREF USA, Esther - an ordinary midwife, was nominated for a REAL Award, and won. The REAL Awards are fronted by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Frontline Health Workers Coalition and Save the Children USA. These awards recognise frontline health workers in the US and around the world who are protecting health and saving lives daily.
The event was presided over by the Ugandan Minister of Health, Hon Dr Christine Ondoa. Others in attendance included Angelline Osegge, Woman MP, Soroti District, Ministry of Health officials, district leaders, donors, NGO community, Esther’s colleagues and family.
Addressing the gathering, Hon Ondoa, observed, “I am pleased to have officiated the inaugural launch of the Stand Up for African Mothers campaign in France in 2011. I am now presiding over an event where Esther Madudu is being awarded this coveted REAL Award. Esther’s award indicates international recognition of midwives and the role they play in saving lives. Midwifery training in Uganda has been overshadowed by training of comprehensive nurses which does not effectively address the midwifery component. This campaign will address the gap.”
Mr Abenet Berhanu, AMREF Uganda Country Director thanked Esther for her role in serving mothers in the community and and congratulated her on winning the REAL Award.
It was a great day with entertainment provided by the local Village Health Team members who are beneficiaries of AMREF’s Katine Community Project. Esther expressed gratitude to her colleagues and more so her mother for the support she has given her enabling her to carry out her work efficiently.
The event was comprehensively covered by NTV Uganda, a popular national TV station.
Esther Madudu is among the midwives in Africa, who work in challenging circumstances. AMREF, in recognising the key role that midwives play in ensuring expectant mothers and newborns have the best chance of survival, developed the Stand Up for African Mothers campaign, and we urge everyone to support us in raising the funds to enable us to train 15,000 midwives across Africa by 2015.
midwives in training so far
Visit www.standupforafricanmothers.com to learn more about the campaign.
AMREF is a transparent organisation distributing funds of up to $85 million per year.
