We were just a few hours into the day. I remember hearing the sound of drums and an off-key keyboardist playing right behind our house. It was a beautiful Sunday morning; coincidentally, it was October 1, my country’s independence day.
Mrs Grace, my dear mother, was in labour; it would be my fourth sibling, and I was so excited about it. Another “small pikin’” I could send on an errand at will—that sweet yet selfish thought made me stand by the door and watch as Sister Ozalo, a nurse and church member, barked orders to inexperienced women in general healthcare who happened to be the only aides she could rely on at the time.
“Go to church!” I heard my mother scream at me at the top of her voice despite the pain that was just too obvious to be hidden in her eyes—the pain of childbirth.
I couldn’t take my eyes off my dear mother.
Though young and naïve, I was old enough to know my mother was going through excruciating pains beyond my imagination and needed someone beside her—today, I decided to be that someone.
Although I couldn’t do much to ease her pain, I refused to go to church as she had requested and instead stood by and watched as the events that unfolded that day inspired this article on women’s leadership in healthcare.
Sister Ozalo was a choir member in our church who had been called upon to assist my mother in her labour and ensure the child’s safe delivery while the church prayed and continued its service in their absence as her husband, my father, was away on an official assignment; hence no one could drive her to the hospital.
Besides, she was already experiencing multiple contractions, and her water had broken, so the baby could come anytime.
It was a delivery at home.
I watched keenly as Sister Ozalo ensured all women had their hands washed and were in position for any and all of her requests. With frightened faces, they followed the chain of command she gave till the very end.
I remember her encouraging them and telling them they were the bravest women in the room. That charge sparked adrenaline in each and every one of them.
An hour into labour, painful screaming from my mother, prayers muttered by the women of the church beside her, and tears running down my chin, the sound of new life was heard—a peculiar sound that turned tears into smiles and fears into gratitude.
Precious, my baby sister, was born.
A few years later, we lost our sister Ozalo to cancer. She had fought it over the years in silence, and it had found a way to snatch her from us. A sad reality of life.
Sister Ozalo left me in awe with the memory of her bravery and outstanding leadership amid fear, which proved productive.
Today, the African continent would be in a completely different place were it not for the women working in health care.
Yet, it is easy to take their contribution for granted.
The depth of women’s support for healthcare delivery systems throughout Africa was made evident by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ebola outbreak that preceded it.
On numerous occasions, African women have frequently led from the rear as nurses, doctors, and community workers, applying what they understand about providing care in their homes as inspiration in their diverse professional roles.
As I write this, I am reminded of countless African healthcare heroes:
One whose exceptional deed has left her name etched in the sands of time is physician Ameyo Stella Adadevoh, a Nigerian heroine who prevented a potentially catastrophic and deadly Ebola epidemic in 2014 when she correctly identified a patient afflicted with the terrible virus.
Her diagnosis ultimately proved fatal, as did the lives of her heroic colleagues who stood by her—heartbreaking but incredibly inspirational tale.
Additionally, they have taken the lead, using their influence as national or local leaders to change established procedures and succeed in the face of adversity:
The presidential task group to tackle the Ebola outbreak in 2014 was largely established thanks to the efforts of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the former president of Liberia.
She demonstrated excellent leadership during the crisis and assumed responsibility for ensuring that the epidemic was appropriately controlled by organising locally and utilising local institutions and leaders.
The African continent would look very different today without the women who work in the healthcare industry.
Our healthcare systems are strengthened and protected by African women healthcare professionals who are facing challenges at work and home.
The Contributions Of Women Leaders In Africa’s Healthcare Ecosystem
Women leaders in Africa’s healthcare ecosystem are making significant contributions that are reshaping the continent’s healthcare landscape.
For instance, Prof Agnes Binagwaho, a former minister of health in Rwanda post-genocide, led the country to significantly improve healthcare access and quality, with life expectancy nearly doubling between 1944 and 2014.
“Health equity is not a dream; it’s a necessity,” Dr. Binagwaho stated in a 2015 interview, highlighting her commitment to accessible healthcare for all.
The tale of Dr Ameyo Stella Adadevoh, the Nigerian heroine, had me in tears.
West Africa saw the longest-lasting Ebola outbreak in history from 2014 to 2016. Although the initial occurrence of the epidemic was linked to a baby in Guinea in 2013, it swiftly extended to Sierra Leone and Liberia, two nearby nations.
On what seemed to be a regular Monday morning in July 2014, Dr Adadevoh went to work. While conducting her usual ward round, she saw a patient who had recently flown into the country from Liberia.
He had been admitted the day before for malaria. When Dr. Adadevoh saw him for the first time, she immediately suspected he had Ebola and not malaria.
Even though the patient passed away at the hospital a few days later, her clinical diagnosis correctly identified Ebola.
Her accurate and quick patient diagnosis enabled the Nigerian government to mobilise resources quickly.
One single route of transmission, starting with the patient who boarded the flight from Liberia to Lagos, was linked to 20 cases of Ebola in Nigeria.
Due to her unwillingness to release the patient in the face of severe pressure and threats, Dr Adadevoh is largely credited with stopping the spread of Ebola in Nigeria.
She and her team set off what ended up being Nigeria’s Ebola containment success story, helping to save the country from what could have been a very serious and devastating outbreak.
Sadly, in their incredible fight against the disease, eleven hospital staff went on to catch the deadly virus, including Dr Adadevoh. On August 19, 2014, she lost her life to the dreadful virus—the very one that she had saved Nigeria from.
Similarly, Dr Eleni Gabre-Madhin, an Ethiopian economist, has championed technology integration in healthcare through initiatives like the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange (ECX).
Her work has enhanced the distribution of essential medical supplies, ensuring that remote areas receive timely healthcare interventions.
According to Dr Gabre-Madhin, “Innovative solutions in healthcare logistics can bridge the gap between urban and rural healthcare services.”
These leaders, among others, are driving systemic changes, advocating for policy reforms, and implementing innovative healthcare solutions that address the unique challenges African communities face.
Influential Women Leaders In Africa’s Healthcare Ecosystem Making A Difference
Prof Prisca Olabisi Adejumo, scholar, leader, and mentor, is etching her name deep in the sands of time by addressing one of the biggest problems nurses face in Africa—a lack of accurate mentorship.
For too long, nurses have suffered a dearth of accurate, research-backed, genuine mentorship programmes to guide them to become leaders and discover their potential.
Through her innovative mentorship programme at Focusing On Young Nurses Initiative (FYNI), Prof Prisca Olabisi Adejumo has exposed hundreds of nurses in Nigeria and Africa to a side of nursing they never knew existed.
She has made them realise they can achieve more beyond the bedside and the four corners of hospital walls.
FYNI’s mentorship programme is designed to give nurses the tools they need to become confident leaders.
With a team of scholars, leaders, and renowned nursing leaders, there’s no other mentorship programme in Africa that offers the kind of quality leadership FYNI has to offer.
Her contribution to nursing leadership will greatly improve nursing on the continent and, in turn, impact the healthcare ecosystem at large.
Dr. Amina Ibrahim’s story is one of many that exemplifies the impact of female leadership in African healthcare.
Her rise from humble beginnings to a prominent position in Nigeria’s healthcare system showcases the power of determination and education.
Dr. Ibrahim not only excels in her medical practice but also dedicates time to mentoring young female professionals, fostering a culture of support and continuous learning.
Another influential figure is Dr. Susan Mboya, a Kenyan pharmacist and corporate leader. As the founder of the Zawadi Africa Educational Fund, Dr. Mboya has been pivotal in providing scholarships to young African women pursuing healthcare careers.
Her leadership journey, marked by a blend of corporate acumen and philanthropic passion, serves as an inspiration to many.
“Empowering young women in healthcare is not just about education; it’s about creating a legacy of leadership and excellence,” Dr. Mboya remarked in a recent address.
In South Africa, Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, a physician and philanthropist, has made significant strides in healthcare and women’s empowerment.
Through her foundation, she focuses on improving maternal health and supporting female entrepreneurs in the health sector.
Dr Moloi-Motsepe’s approach combines direct healthcare provision with broader socio-economic initiatives, creating a holistic model of community uplift.
Her mentorship programs are instrumental in shaping the next generation of African female healthcare leaders.
Through their leadership and mentoring, these women are not only making a tangible difference in healthcare but are also inspiring a wave of new female leaders who will continue to drive change and innovation across the continent.
Final Thoughts
In the heart of Africa, women leaders in healthcare are not just tending to the immediate needs of their communities; they are architects of a brighter, healthier future.
Their relentless dedication, profound empathy, and innovative spirit are transforming health systems and breaking down barriers for the next generation of women leaders.
Each initiative they spearhead, and every life they touch echoes a powerful message: that the future of African healthcare is inclusive, resilient, and boundlessly hopeful.
These trailblazing women are more than leaders; they are beacons of change, illuminating the path for countless others to follow.
As we celebrate their achievements, let us also commit to supporting and amplifying their voices, ensuring their legacies inspire and empower future generations.
The future of healthcare in Africa is bright, and its torchbearers are women who are resilient, visionary, and unstoppable.
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