By Jeneba A. Conteh
Sierra Leone has officially launched its inaugural Uterine Health Fund, marking a watershed moment in the nation’s healthcare for women. This groundbreaking initiative aims to address the pressing reproductive health challenges that women face and represents a significant step forward in the fight for reproductive rights across the country. On Friday, July 25, 2025, the launch event was held at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown, with a diverse audience of health professionals, policymakers, and advocates.
The uterus, a vital organ in the female reproductive system that is essential for menstruation, pregnancy and childbirth, is central to this initiative. The Uterine Health Fund aims to elevate the conversation about uterine health, which has historically been overlooked and stigmatised.
During her keynote speech, Her Excellency the First Lady, Fatima Maada Bio, expressed her strong personal connection to the cause. She emphasised that the uterus is essential to women’s health, fertility, and survival. “But today, we say no more silence on this issue,” she declared, calling for a widespread recognition of the importance of uterine health.
The First Lady expressed a vision for a healthcare system that values and supports women, saying, “We are here not to launch a fund, but to launch a vision, a new chapter in our collective journey towards reproductive justice and maternal health equity.” She emphasized that uterine health is not a minor issue, but rather a critical component of women’s health that must be prioritized.
Fatima Maada Bio highlighted the concerning lack of uterine health considerations in national budgets, insurance plans, and health policy frameworks. “This is not just neglect, but a crisis of priority,” she said, warning that if uterine health is ignored, the health system will fail to adequately serve women. She lamented that untreated uterine conditions frequently progress from gynecological concerns to maternal health risks, resulting in misdiagnoses and unnecessary suffering. “Too many women are told that their pain is normal, too many are misdiagnosed, and too many have lost their lives due to delays in treatment,” she said.
Attendees were deeply moved by the First Lady’s passionate call to action, in which she urged donors and partners to support the initiative as equals rather than as beneficiaries. “Invest in Africa’s health solutions,” she urged, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts to address these critical issues.
Fatou Wurie, Founder and CEO of the Uterine Health Fund, echoed this commitment. Her comment was, “What we are launching today is not just a fund; we are launching Africa’s first Uterine Company built by and owned by African women.” Wurie drew inspiration from her grandmother, a traditional birth attendant who specialized in caring for women, and shared her painful journey of suffering from uterine issues for 23 years before receiving a diagnosis during labor. Her experiences have fueled her determination to advocate for other women facing similar challenges.
Wurie emphasized that the Uterine Health Fund is not just another project, but rather a critical initiative capable of integrating uterine health into the national healthcare system. She clarified that the goal is not to replicate existing structures, but to improve and sustain them. “When women are healthy, Africa rises,” she said, emphasizing that women’s health must be prioritized.
Professor Charles Senesie, Deputy Minister of Health 1, assured attendees that the Ministry of Health is committed to incorporating uterine health into Sierra Leone’s essential health services. His pledge reflects a growing recognition of the importance of addressing uterine health as an integral part of women’s overall health.
Dr. Frances Wurie, a well-known gynecologist and the founder of Women’s Place, discussed the importance of uterine health for women’s well-being. She pointed out that conditions like fibroids and cancers are frequently viewed solely through the lens of childbearing, but their consequences extend far beyond that. Dr. Wurie revealed that between 20% and 50% of Sierra Leonean women suffer from fibroids, with 80% developing them at some point in their lives. She emphasized the importance of raising uterine health awareness and education, encouraging women to understand their bodies and advocate for their health.
She also emphasized the importance of nutrition, lifestyle choices, and stress reduction in improving women’s well-being. “Women should listen to their bodies and seek healthcare at the earliest opportunity,” she advised, emphasizing the importance of incorporating uterine health into essential healthcare services. “The uterus is the foundation of women’s health. Let us work to resolve it,” she concluded.
Honorable Mariama Zombo spoke about her harrowing experience with a uterine disease, emphasizing the critical need for improved healthcare access and funding for uterine-related conditions. Similarly, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, Health Commissioner of River State, Nigeria, described her battle with fibroids, which nearly killed her. She praised the initiative and called for collaboration to address critical health issues across Africa.
Julie Otieno, Chief Operating Officer of the Uterine Health Fund, emphasized the importance of closing gaps in uterine healthcare. “We want to ensure that this initiative is not just a project but a pioneering effort to provide women with the access they need,” she told me.
Sibeso Mululuma, UNFPA Sierra Leone’s Country Representative, described the Uterine Health Fund as a source of hope in the health sector. She emphasized the importance of overcoming barriers to healthcare access and ensuring that no woman falls behind. “The UN family stands in solidarity with this initiative,” she added.
As Sierra Leone embarks on this transformative journey, the establishment of the Uterine Health Fund is a critical step toward prioritising women’s reproductive health and making their voices heard. This initiative heralds a new era of empowerment for Sierra Leonean women, in which uterine health is no longer an afterthought, but rather a fundamental right that requires attention and action.
