Elestina Yvonne Phuka is a State Registered Nurse and Midwife from Malawi with over 14 years of experience taking various leading roles supporting delivery of quality Sexual Reproductive health services in complex emergency humanitarian settings. She has worked across Malawi, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, and currently with UNFPA Bangladesh, serving the world’s largest refugee settlement in Cox’s Bazar.
In her capacity as an International Midwife Mentor, Elestina takes lead focusing on strengthening Midwife-led sexual and reproductive health services through mentorship and capacity building in line with global standards including World Health Organization (WHO) standards, National and the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) Scope of Practice. She works closely with a team of national Midwifery Coordinators and Midwifery Supervisors, providing both bedside mentorship and off-site capacity building to enhance clinical competence and confidence among practicing national midwives which directly contribute to Midwifery accelerator road map activities launched in 2025.
Her work is driven by a commitment to ensuring that every mother and baby receives safe, respectful, and life-saving care. She is deeply committed to the vision that no woman should die while giving life and every child should have a safe start to life. She is an enthusiastic data driven and result based goal getter.
She holds Bsc.in Nursing, Postgraduate University diploma in Midwifery and Ms.in Sexual Reproductive Health Rights & Research and pursuing a Ms. in Conflict, Peace building and Security. This will enhance her contribution to women leadership in conflict affected contexts, build peace through health agenda which will result in more effective governance within health systems.
