As early as 7 a.m., Isatou Suwareh opens the doors of the Tanji Health Center, ready to receive dozens of women from one of the largest catchment areas in the West Coast Region. As Officer-In-Charge and a dedicated midwife, Isatou sees more than 65 women on clinic days. Yet, she approaches each case not as a statistic, but as a responsibility.

With seven years of experience as a health worker and three of those in Tanji, Isatou has become more than a healthcare provider—she’s a trusted figure in the community. When she first arrived, antenatal attendance was low, and community trust in the facility was shaky. But Isatou was determined to change that.

Today, women come in freely and confidently. They trust me. They respect what I do, and that trust is what inspires and humbles me the most, she says with a smile.

It’s a big number, yes, but it fulfills me.

Behind that fulfillment, however, lies a challenging reality. The clinic itself, built and maintained through the efforts of the local community, lacks the basic resources needed to provide dignified care. “There are no fans in the consultation room, and the ventilation is poor,” she says. “The ambulances which were provided by the community are all faulty, and the roads are bad. But the community is trying—they’ve done their part. They deserve better.”

Despite the odds, Isatou rarely refers cases. Her training and hands-on experience have equipped her to manage even difficult deliveries.

My skills have really improved over the years. I feel confident in handling most cases right here.

In a country where midwives are often the first and sometimes only point of care for pregnant women, stories like Isatou's reflect the backbone of The Gambia’s maternal health system. Her work shows what skilled, compassionate care can achieve—even in under-resourced settings.

On this International Day of the Midwife, UNFPA The Gambia celebrates midwives like Isatou Suwareh—women who show up every day, not just to do a job, but to transform lives. Through her courage, competence, and care, Isatou is not only saving lives—she’s reshaping perceptions.

Media contact: Fatoumatta Cham, Program Analyst-Communications (fcham@unfpa.org)