Rabecca Phiri is a midwife at Shikamushile rural health center in Chifunabuli District of Luapula Province. She is the only midwife working within Shikamushile community, covering a total population of 12,169. In addition to providing midwifery services at the facility, Rebecca also supports 5 other surrounding rural health centers of Mwewa, Mwansakombe, Miponda, Chimanda and Kandolo communities, for which she offers mentorship to other health workers in the provision of quality maternal and child health services.

Inspite the vast amount of tasks, Rebecca remains optimistic in the discharge of her duties. Every day, she provides life-saving information and services to women of reproductive age, young people, children and new-born babies, to mention a few.

The delight in hearing the very first cry of a new born baby, accompanied with the joy and relief expressed by the mother and family, makes me proud to be a midwife! - Rabecca Phiri 

On the occasion of the 2023 International Day of the Midwife, Rebecca shares insight into the life-saving work she does:

“I have been an active midwife for the last 11 years. Being a midwife is one of the most fulfilling experiences I have had in my life. The joy of helping a mother to bring-out a new life is such an exhilarating feeling I continue to enjoy every time I facilitate the delivery of a newborn baby. The delight in hearing the very first cry of a new born baby, accompanied with the joy and relief expressed by the mother and family, makes me proud to be a midwife!

Ensuring respectful maternity care is a value I have embraced throughout my 11 years of practice, as I provide mental, emotional and physical support for women as well as their families during the birthing process.

Having adequate training and requisite skills has been very key in enabling me to provide quality services. With support from the Chifunabuli District Health Office, Luapula Provincial Health Office, as well as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Midwifery Association of Zambia, I have been able to acquire skills in provision of emergency obstetric and newborn care (EmONC), essential newborn care, and family planning service provision, among others.

In a recent experience, these skills enabled me to successfully deliver a mother who developed eclampsia (i.e. seizures or convulsions) during labour. Using the skills I had acquired, I was able to correctly administer Magnesium Sulphate, and we managed to effectively deliver her baby. The tears of joy and relief expressed by the mother and her family was so gratifying. This experience is one of many that motivate me to continue the work I do as midwife - to ensure that every childbirth is safe and that no woman dies while giving life!" - says Rebecca.