“The only person you should try to be better than is the person you were yesterday”. The cyclical patterns of this maze of life presented me with astounding opportunities as one of the top ten finalists for the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2024 (out of 78,000+ applications and registrations from 203+ countries).
Ladies and gentlemen, my name is LILIAN NUWABAINE, a very zealous, energetic, innovative and notably ebullient Nurse-Midwife leader. I am a trainer, mentor, researcher, innovator and entrepreneur sending you all greetings from the pearl of Africa, Uganda.
From the southwestern part of Uganda, is Buhweju district where I had my humble beginning. In a remote village surrounded by poverty, illiteracy, unsafe water, teenage pregnancies and rocky feeder roads with enormous potholes that could possibly inhabit a crocodile on a rainy day. My careworn childhood wasn’t a real dream to many. Had it not been the strong will of my parents to educate a girl child, I wouldn’t have become an extraordinary maker of positive change in health care in Uganda today. This is the desire I have strongly nurtured that made me the first graduate Nurse in the entire district.
Growing up, I witnessed my young brother suffer from a mysterious disease that almost cost his life, which was much later identified as cerebral malaria. Just like any other typical African community, they strongly attributed it to witchcraft. One can only imagine how challenging it was to seek medical care as the nearest hospital was >20 kilometres away. My mother hopelessly carried her convulsing son on the back and hit the road at dawn despite the terror of the dark with not much help.
Until today, I still vividly remember how loudly my mother sobbed for help to save her beloved son. I was extremely mortified by this and gathered my little strength to help. After hours of struggle, we reached the district hospital only hoping for a single miracle.
The warmth, care and hope we received from the attending team of nurses dressed in white uniform was unforgettable. “What a beautiful inspiration” I mumbled in stealth. It was this moment that streamed my passion for nursing and advocacy for vulnerable groups including mothers, newborns, children and adolescents.
It is therefore with great pleasure that I represented strong women and the nursing fraternity on the international platform for Aster Guardians that offered genuine opportunity for professional growth.
This indeed was a dream come true! I am extremely humbled to have represented my country Uganda, and also as the only female who represented Africa to the globe for the highly prestigious Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2024.
This recognition was not only a testimony of my personal commitment and dedication to nursing but also a reflection of the unwavering support and dedication of my teams, mentors plus each and everyone out there that supports and believes in Lilian.
The opportunity further inspired me to continue striving for excellence and to foster an environment of collaboration and innovation to continue advocating for excellence in nursing and midwifery in Uganda and the world at large.
For God and my country Uganda, Thank you
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Lilian Nuwabaine (Worlds’ Best Nurse Finalist 2024; Award Winning Researcher 2023; Heroes in Health Award Winning Midwife 2021 & Outstanding Woman of 2021)
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