5 African Nurses Transforming Healthcare and Saving Lives in 2025

Meet five incredible African nurses who are saving lives, driving healthcare innovation, and inspiring hope through compassion and leadership.

1. Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti (Ghana)

Revolutionizing Cancer Care Across Africa
Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti, the 2025 Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award winner, is transforming oncology nursing in Ghana and beyond. Her groundbreaking work includes:

• Developing Ghana’s first-ever oncology nursing curriculum, setting a new standard for cancer care.
• Training over 60 cancer nurses across Africa, building a network of skilled professionals.
• Leading global cancer education initiatives, advocating for better patient outcomes.

Naomi isn’t just treating patients—she’s equipping an army of oncology warriors to fight cancer across the continent.

2. Khadija Mohamed Juma (Kenya)

Saving Lives with a Swipe
Khadija Mohamed Juma is a tech-savvy nurse redefining emergency care through healthcare innovation. Her app, RedSplash, connects blood donors with hospitals in real time, saving countless lives. Her impact includes:

• Collecting over 25,000 units of life-saving blood.
• Helping save more than 75,000 lives through timely donations.
• Using smart algorithms to match emergency blood needs with donors instantly.

Khadija is turning smartphones into lifesaving tools, proving that nurse leadership can bridge technology and compassion.

3. Anna Qabale Duba (Kenya)

From Survivor to Global Nurse Leader
Anna Qabale Duba overcame immense challenges—early marriage and female genital mutilation—to become a global advocate for nursing in Africa. Her achievements include:

• Winning the 2022 Aster Nursing Award for her transformative work.
• Building a school for girls in her pastoralist community, promoting education and empowerment.
• Advocating for women’s rights, dignity, and access to healthcare worldwide.

Anna’s story shows that education is the most powerful medicine, inspiring African nurses to break barriers and lead change.

4. Sheila Tlou (Botswana)

From Bedside to Global Health Leadership
Sheila Tlou, a nurse who rose to become Botswana’s Minister of Health, is a global voice in HIV/AIDS policy and community nursing. Her contributions include:

• Pioneering national health reforms to improve access to care.
• Serving as UNAIDS Regional Director, shaping global health strategies.
• Advocating for community nursing and equitable healthcare systems.

Sheila’s journey from bedside to boardroom demonstrates the power of nurse leadership in transforming lives.

5. Faustina Oware-Gyekye (Ghana)

Shaping the Future of Nursing Education
Faustina Oware-Gyekye is a cornerstone of nursing education in West Africa, nurturing the next generation of healthcare leaders. Her work includes:

• Serving as former President of the West African College of Nursing (WACN), Ghana Chapter.
• Lecturing at universities, editing scholarly works, and mentoring future nurses.
• Training educators who shape the skills and values of tomorrow’s African nurses.

Faustina’s dedication ensures that the future of healthcare in Africa rests in capable, compassionate hands.

Why These Nurses Inspire Us

These five women embody the heart of nursing in Africa—resilience, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to saving lives. From creating cutting-edge apps to shaping global health policies, they show that African nurses are not just caregivers but visionaries driving healthcare transformation.

Their stories remind us that every nurse has the power to make a difference—whether at the bedside, in the classroom, or on the global stage. Let’s celebrate these heroes in scrubs and amplify their impact by sharing their stories.

Join the Movement

Are you an African nurse making a difference? Share your story with Fellow Nurses Africa and inspire others. Together, we can build a stronger, healthier future for our communities.

• Fellow Nurses Africa is the independent voice of African nursing, we educate, inform and support the nursing profession.