13/05/2026
I still remember one of my earliest experiences working in public health research within RMNCAH+N+M. It was during a field activity focused on maternal and newborn health services in a rural community.
On paper, the data looked straightforward, numbers of antenatal visits, facility deliveries, postpartum follow-ups. But behind every number was a real woman, a real family, and often a difficult story.
One encounter changed my perspective completely. I met a young mother who had delivered at home after laboring for hours because the nearest health facility was far away and transportation was expensive. She later developed complications that could have been prevented with timely care. As she shared her experience, I realized that research is not just about collecting data or writing reports; it is about understanding the realities people face every day.
That moment strengthened my passion for RMNCAH research and quality improvement. Since then, I have become more committed to generating evidence that can improve reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, adolescent health, nutrition, and malaria services, especially for underserved communities.
Working across different public health projects has taught me that impactful research goes beyond statistics. It requires listening, empathy, collaboration, and translating findings into actions that save lives.
Every dataset now reminds me that behind each percentage is a mother trying to survive childbirth, a newborn needing a healthy start, or a family hoping for better healthcare access.
This journey continues to inspire my work as a public health nurse, researcher, and RMNCAH advocate.
