Esther Lydia Nandala, 1994-2020. Photo courtesy of RHITES-E.

We at IntraHealth International are mourning the loss of our colleague Esther Lydia Nandala. She died on Wednesday, July 29, 2020, while giving birth.

Esther was a data assistant working with the IntraHealth-led Regional Health Integration to Enhance Services in Eastern Uganda (RHITES-E) project. She was a hardworking and caring team member at the government health facilities she supported, including Bupoto Health Center III, Buwabala HCIII, and Bunambale HCIII in Namisindwa District in Eastern Uganda. 

"No mother should have to die in childbirth."

“We’re joining Esther’s family and our team in Uganda in mourning this heartbreaking loss and honoring Esther’s memory,” says Polly Dunford, president and CEO of IntraHealth. “For me, this is a devastating reminder of why we are all passionate about our mission here at IntraHealth. No mother should have to die in childbirth, and no baby should have to grow up without her.”

Esther contributed invaluable data capture, entry, and analysis to inform key decisions and deliverables for RHITES-E, which is working to reach some 5.7 million people in Eastern Uganda and Karamoja with crucial health services. 

“Esther was very passionate about what she did, had a will to learn, and was a good listener and team player,” says Abdalla-Aziz, Esther’s supervisor. “I remember when the district computers were not adequate, she provided her own laptop for use for data entry for the period she worked up until her death. She was a very honest person.”