Soft Skills at the Core: Transforming MNH through Human-Centered Care
At Babies and Mothers Alive (BAMA), we believe that truly high-quality maternal and newborn care is not defined by clinical skill alone but by the quality of human connection that surrounds it. Healing begins when mothers feel safe, heard, and respected.
This message came through loud and clear at Uganda’s 1st National Soft Skills in Healthcare Conference 2025, which was attended by our Staff member, Cynthia Rukundo. Uganda’s health leaders, including the Hon. Dr. Ruth Aceng, Minister of Health, emphasized the urgent need to embed compassion, communication, and empathy into every layer of healthcare delivery.
As Dr. Aceng reminded us, “Healthcare is not just about treatment and cure; it’s about healing, dignity, and compassion.”
At BAMA, we are putting these values into action.
We’re integrating soft skills training into every aspect of our maternal and newborn health programs, recognizing that while technical expertise is essential, it accounts for only 15% of effective care. The remaining 85% lies in how care is delivered: with empathy, active listening, teamwork, and respect.
BAMA is going to use these soft skills to Improve Care through:
Empathy in Action: In our midwife training programs, we will use role-play to help health workers experience care from the patient’s perspective. These simulations will build compassion and cultural sensitivity, equipping providers to respond with understanding and kindness even in high-stress situations.
Communication that Builds Trust: Health workers will be trained in active listening techniques such as maintaining eye contact, pausing before responding, and restating patient concerns. These small practices create a safe space where mothers feel seen and supported, leading to earlier reporting of complications and better clinical outcomes.
Teamwork that Saves Lives: Through EMOTIVE trainings, BAMA will continue to strengthen emergency response by teaching structured team communication and shared decision-making. Providers practice switching roles during obstetric simulations, building mutual respect and improving coordination in real emergencies.
Dignity in Every Interaction: Our community health workers and facility staff will be coached to treat every mother with dignity from antenatal visits to delivery and postnatal care. This will continue to help reduce reports of mistreatment, improve uptake of services, and restore trust in the health system.
We’re fostering a culture where women feel valued not just as patients, but as people. As we continue to scale our work across districts, soft skills will remain at the heart of our approach because safe motherhood is not just about surviving childbirth. It’s about experiencing it with dignity, compassion, and care.
