Isata Dumbuya, director of nursing and midwifery for Partners In Health (PIH) Sierra Leone’s Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) program, has been named to TIME’s annual Women of the Year list. The recognition, announced February 26, 2026, celebrates Dumbuya’s pivotal work in transforming maternal healthcare in Sierra Leone and highlights the dedication of healthcare workers across the country. This year’s list recognizes 16 women leaders working toward a more equitable world, and will appear in the February 27 issue of TIME magazine and is available now online at time.com/woty.
Dumbuya’s journey, from a 25-year career with the National Health Service in the UK as a nurse, midwife, and public health specialist, to dedicating her expertise to improving maternal health outcomes in her birth country, exemplifies a commitment to health equity. Sierra Leone faces significant challenges in maternal mortality, with women facing a 1 in 74 lifetime risk of dying in pregnancy or childbirth, despite decades of investment and policy reforms. Dumbuya’s leadership is focused on dramatically changing those statistics.
The core of Dumbuya’s recent work has been the launch and development of the Paul E. Farmer Maternal Center of Excellence (MCOE), a state-of-the-art 120-bed facility within Koidu Government Hospital. Officially opening its doors to patients on February 14, the MCOE expands the hospital’s existing maternity ward and special care baby unit into a comprehensive center featuring three operating theaters and the country’s first neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). It is also the first facility outside of the capital city, Freetown, to provide piped medical gas directly to patient beds.
A Career Dedicated to Maternal Health Transformation
Dumbuya joined Partners In Health in 2018 and quickly became a driving force in strengthening healthcare systems in the Kono District. Her early work included forming a community outreach team in 2019, as detailed in “On the Road in Sierra Leone, Spreading Health and Hope,” to connect rural communities with critical care services. This team traveled to all 14 chiefdoms in Kono District, empowering community members and expanding access to maternal healthcare.
Her vision for high-quality maternal care is rooted in a deep understanding of the challenges faced by women and families in Sierra Leone. In a 2020 Q&A, “Q&A: Reimagining What’s Possible For Maternal Health Care in Sierra Leone,” Dumbuya discussed her experience transitioning from the U.K. Healthcare system and her ongoing efforts to improve Koidu Government Hospital.
Collective Effort and a Vision for the Future
Dumbuya emphasizes that her recognition is a testament to the collective efforts of countless healthcare professionals. “It is an honor to be recognized for work that is truly a collective effort at Partners In Health,” she said. “I am so proud and grateful to share this spotlight with the thousands of colleagues, especially the heroic nurses, midwives, and doctors in Sierra Leone, whose unwavering commitment is the foundation of our work. Together, we are proving that health equity is not just a dream but can be a life-saving reality.”
Her commitment to women’s health extends beyond clinical care. In 2021, Dumbuya co-authored an International Women’s Day letter with PIH CEO Dr. Sheila Davis, highlighting PIH’s commitment to women’s health, rights, and equity. This dedication was further showcased in 2022 when The Washington Post featured the story of Susan Lebbie, a 17-year-ancient who gave birth to a healthy baby boy at Koidu Government Hospital with Dumbuya as part of her care team.
The construction of the MCOE, with a team largely comprised of women, was a symbolic step forward, as Dumbuya noted in 2024: “This is women building for women.” This sentiment was echoed in a 2025 video showcasing the MCOE’s groundbreaking investment in mothers, families, and babies, where she stated, “When you dream and when you believe, and when you have people that believe in you and in that dream, you can accomplish this.” Preparations for the MCOE’s opening in 2026, as detailed in “How Staff Are Preparing for the Maternal Center of Excellence’s Opening Day,” involved intensive staff training led by Dumbuya to ensure the delivery of high-quality care.
Looking ahead, Dumbuya will continue to play a crucial role in the MCOE’s operations, which will also serve as a vital training center for Sierra Leonean healthcare workers. The center promises to be a hub for advancing maternal health practices and improving outcomes for women and newborns across the country. The next step will be the ongoing evaluation of the MCOE’s impact on maternal mortality rates and the expansion of its training programs to reach a wider network of healthcare professionals.
What do you think about Isata Dumbuya’s work and the impact of the Maternal Center of Excellence? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
