Today, I was honored to receive an award from the Mama Pekin Foundation, in recognition of my contribution to the Postgraduate Training Program in Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Pediatrics.
In early 2020, I had a conversation with Dr Fatu Forna about the link between the lack of postgraduate training in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Sierra Leone and our high levels of maternal mortality. I was deeply moved by that conversation and by November 2020, working with the Mama Pekin Foundation, I was able to lead on securing a grant from an anonymous donor to support the Ministry of Health to launch Sierra Leone’s first postgraduate residency training program in Obstetrics and Gynecology. At that time, our entire country had fewer than 10 obstetric gynecologists and fewer than 10 pediatricians.
Today, I am thrilled and proud that five years on, 8 gynecologists and 6 pediatricians have qualified in Sierra Leone as a direct result of our combined efforts. The grant support for the program has now ended and full responsibility has been taken on by the Ministry of Health. I take great joy in knowing that I played a major role in establishing this legacy which is a testament to what collaboration, focus, hard work and integrity can achieve.
#HopeToReality
#TransformingLives
©️Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr OBE
