Lucy Msukwa is a registered nurse and midwife with over a decade of experience in sexual and reproductive health. She is the founder and executive director of Uchembere Wabwino Maternity in Mzuzu, Malawi, a clinic dedicated to providing maternal and child healthcare services. Since its establishment in 2019, the clinic has become a vital resource for improving maternal health outcomes in Malawi, which faces one of the highest maternal mortality rates globally. Msukwa’s passion for nursing and midwifery was ignited by personal tragedy—losing her mother due to pregnancy complications when she was still young. This loss fueled her commitment to ensuring safe motherhood and reducing pregnancy-related complications.
Msukwa earned her degree from Kamuzu College of Nursing, and after seven years of service in the public health sector, she pursued her vision of creating a clinic that prioritizes promotive, preventive, and curative health care for women. Uchembere Wabwino Maternity provides a range of essential services, including prenatal care, family planning, and immunizations, with a focus on early detection and treatment of complications. Her dedication has had a tangible impact, with over 6,000 safe deliveries conducted under her guidance, and since the clinic’s inception, it has recorded zero maternal deaths.
In addition to her work at the clinic, Msukwa volunteers with various organizations, including the You Are Not Alone Foundation as a health educator and counselor, and the Your Time Women’s Empowerment Foundation, where she promotes menstrual hygiene management. She is also actively involved in the African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative as a recruitment ambassador for Malawi, and serves as an online program coordinator for the University of Washington’s Global Health Department, helping to provide professional development courses in Malawi.
Msukwa’s leadership and entrepreneurial spirit have been recognized through numerous accolades, including a $10,000 grant from the U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF) and an $8,000 prize from the Code Family Foundation through the University of Iowa’s Venture School. These funds have been instrumental in expanding her clinic’s services, allowing her to acquire portable ultrasound machines, renovate the facility, and increase its capacity to serve the community. Under her direction, the clinic has grown its client base by 163% and seen a 40% increase in revenue, with Uchembere Wabwino continuing to lead efforts in community sensitization and immunization campaigns.
Msukwa is also deeply invested in youth engagement. Her clinic launched the “Uchembere Youth for Change” program to address the rising issue of teen pregnancies. Through this initiative, she provides sexual and reproductive health education and entrepreneurial training to secondary school students, working to equip them with knowledge and skills for better decision-making.
Msukwa is an alumna of both the African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative and the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs, and she was part of the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders. After completing the fellowship, she aims to design data-driven interventions that enhance access to sexual and reproductive health services, particularly for women and youth in Malawi.
Msukwa’s personal and professional journey is marked by a steadfast dedication to making a difference in her community. She is married to Alexious Ng’ambi, a dentist, and they have two daughters, Abigail and Isabel. Her story, which began with the adversity of losing her mother, has transformed into one of impact and hope as she continues to save lives and advocate for universal health coverage for all.
