In one of Ethiopia’s most underserved regions, Midwife Wubayehu Shasho is a lifeline for pregnant women and their newborns. Driven by a deep sense of purpose, he works tirelessly to ensure mothers in the remote pastoralist communities of Borena, Oromia region receive the quality maternal care they deserve.
Growing up, Wubayehu often heard stories of women struggling during pregnancy and childbirth. Witnessing both the hardships and the miracles of new life stirred a calling in him, a desire to pursue midwifery and make a difference where it matters most. During his training, he not only acquired technical expertise but also embraced the profound importance of compassionate care.
Wubayehu began his professional journey at Mega Primary Hospital in Borena Zone. Since May of last year, he has been serving as the head of the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Unit at Dida Yabelo Health Centre. His days start early, overseeing antenatal care, delivering babies, mentoring junior midwives, and reaching out to remote villages to follow up on high-risk pregnancies, ensuring that no mother is left behind.
“Providing antenatal and postnatal care to pastoralist communities is not easy, as the services require direct, consistent contact,” says Wubayehu.
Innovating for Impact
Faced with a critical shortage of maternal health services in the region, Wubayehu has embraced innovative approaches. One such initiative involves training traditional birth attendants to identify warning signs during pregnancy and refer women to health facilities in time.
Support from UNFPA, through consecutive projects funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), has also been instrumental. With this backing, essential medical equipment, including mobile ultrasound machines and medical refrigerators, has been provided, significantly improving the capacity to offer quality maternal health services. Maternity waiting homes have also been furnished, giving expectant mothers a safe and comfortable place to stay near health centers as they approach labor.
Building on this momentum, a new initiative, the Mobile Health and Nutrition Clinics Project, launched in March 2025, aims to transform Dida Yabelo Health Centre into a hub for comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services, especially in hard-to-reach woredas. With UNFPA’s support, the Borana Zone Health Office has received vital medical supplies for distribution across these remote areas, ensuring healthcare reaches even the most isolated mothers.
Hope on the Horizon
Despite the obstacles, Wubayehu remains steadfast. He calls for more midwifery professionals to be deployed to underserved areas and supports community-based maternal health surveillance to help prevent avoidable maternal deaths. He also plays a vital role in community outreach, facilitating pregnant women’s conferences to promote regular antenatal care and healthy practices like proper nutrition.
The impact of his work is clear. “He has been very supportive and compassionate during my routine check-ups,” says Gelgelo Gelma, a pregnant woman expecting her seventh child.
Each life he helps bring into the world, each mother he supports, fuels Wubayehu’s passion. As the sun sets over the Borana landscape, he readies himself for another day of service, carrying hope, care, and commitment to the farthest corners of his community.
