Agness Alfonso: A Midwife’s Mission to Save Lives

Growing up, “I saw many pregnant women die during pregnancy or childbirth,” recalls Agness Alfonso from Nsanje, Malawi. “I dreamed of a day when no mother or child would die needlessly.”

Agness aspired to become a nurse, but after secondary school, financial constraints shattered her hopes of continuing her education. She settled into life as a wife and mother—until a government initiative offering free training for young women aspiring to become community midwife assistants reignited her dreams.

At the time, Agness was pregnant and uncertain about balancing training with caring for a newborn. But her husband encouraged her to apply. “He assured me that if I was selected, he would care for our child while I attended school,” she recalls—a rare level of support in her traditional, patriarchal community.

After completing her training, Agness began working as a midwife, providing counseling and health services. She took pride in her impact and continuously sought opportunities to improve her skills. In 2024, she completed training in community-based maternal and newborn care, developed and conducted by Last Mile Health and Malawi’s Ministry of Health. “The training enhanced my skills and boosted my confidence,” she says.

Now equipped with the ability to deliver culturally sensitive care, Agness is helping to challenge harmful practices and improve maternal health outcomes. “Challenging deep-rooted cultural beliefs isn’t easy, but we’re seeing positive changes,” she reflects.

Determined to help end preventable maternal and child deaths, Agness knows the women in her community trust her guidance, leading to safer pregnancies and deliveries. “With the skills I’ve acquired, I believe no mother or newborn should lose their life needlessly,” she affirms.