Marking a historic milestone for women’s reproductive healthcare, First Lady Dr. Fatima Maada Bio officially launched Africa’s first Uterine Health Fund (UHF) at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown on July 25, 2025. The groundbreaking initiative is designed to tackle the widespread but often overlooked crisis of uterine health conditions affecting millions of women across the continent.
Speaking at the event, the First Lady described issues such as fibroids, chronic pelvic pain, heavy menstrual bleeding and untreated infections as “a silent crisis that has been neglected for too long in health policies, training and budgets.” She stressed that uterine health is an integral part of maternal care, adding, “Until it is counted, funded and delivered, reproductive care remains incomplete. Today, we begin to correct that.”
Research by Youterus Health reveals that one in three women in Sierra Leone live with uterine complications, many enduring severe pain, stigma and lack of access to proper diagnosis and treatment. The UHF aims to subsidize diagnosis and surgery for over 500 women annually through accredited clinics and provide life-saving surgical care for at least 50 women with severe fibroids in its first year. The fund will also cover treatment for infections and anaemia, as well as training for healthcare providers and community health navigators.
The initiative, founded by Sierra Leonean public health advocate Fatou Wurie, utilizes a blended finance model combining philanthropic support, private sector involvement and Government partnerships. It also includes a “Compassion Reserve” to cover transport and partial surgery costs for women in need.
Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, who also serves as President of the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), urged Government officials, development partners, healthcare workers and the private sector to support the fund, emphasizing its potential to transform reproductive healthcare. “Every little support counts and matters in changing the lives of our women. This is about justice, dignity and the health of generations to come,” she said.
Commending Fatou Wurie for initiating the project in Sierra Leone, the First Lady called the launch a proud moment for the nation and a turning point in African women’s health. “We are not just launching a project; we are transforming how women’s health is funded and delivered,” she stated.
With the launch of the Uterine Health Fund, Sierra Leone has positioned itself as a pioneer in advancing women’s reproductive health in Africa, marking a new era of healthcare driven by data, equity and respect for women’s dignity.
The Calabash Newspaper is Sierra Leone’s leading English‑language news platform—established in 2017 to deliver trusted coverage of politics, culture, health, and more to audiences both at home and abroad.
