EngenderHealth Mourns the Loss of Dr. Isaac Achwal, Advocate for Women’s Health

March 29, 2019 (Nairobi and Washington, DC) – EngenderHealth – a global women’s health and sexual and reproductive rights organization – mourns the loss of Dr. Isaac Achwal, a long-time advocate for women’s health and reproductive rights who passed away earlier this month. Dr. Achwal, who has worked with EngenderHealth since 1999, served most recently as Senior Clinical Advisor.

Dr. Achwal had many achievements in two decades with EngenderHealth. He played a key role in EngenderHealth’s Fistula Care and Fistula Care Plus projects, leading to the launch of the East, Central and Southern Africa College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ECSACOG). He was also at the heart of the development of EngenderHealth’s quality improvement tools.

Traci L. Baird, MPH, President and CEO of EngenderHealth, said “Dr. Isaac Achwal was well-respected and valued—for his programmatic contributions, his passion for doing good in the world, and for his personality, which clearly touched the lives of those who had the opportunity to work with him. His loss is a reminder that a life well-lived can make a real difference in the lives of many others.”

EngenderHealth colleagues have shared remembrances of Dr. Achwal and messages of condolence for his loss, including the following:

His memory will always live in my heart and mind. It is a real monument that EngenderHealth is losing: a professional known for his rigor in the work, an outstanding achiever and performer, but at the same time a man flexible and affable in his relations with others.
Dr. Moustapha Diallo, Program Manager, EngenderHealth Guinea

Dr. Achwal will be remembered for the great contribution he made for improving the quality of life of millions of women of Kenya and other countries of Africa.
Dr. Nazmul Huda, Country Program Manager, EngenderHealth Bangladesh and Global Activities Manager, Fistula Care Plus Project

I was always most impressed by Isaac’s incredible breadth of knowledge and experience, his calm, caring, and deliberate manner in interacting with people, and his wry sense of humor – his laugh will be something I remember specifically about him. He was able to recognize humor and absurdity in situations, while giving a shake of the head and continuing to move forward in the most practical way… he will be greatly missed by many.
Karen Levin, Senior Program Associate for Monitoring and Evaluation, Fistula Care Plus

This is a tragic loss not only for the Fistula Care Plus family and East Africa region, but also to the whole of EngenderHealth. I have known Isaac since I joined EngenderHealth seven years ago. He worked in Uganda for some time and amazingly knew all corners of the country and was so well versed with the Uganda health care system. Because of this we would sometimes joke that he was more Ugandan than Kenyan! He was technically insightful and yet with a gentle approach. He was a great teacher, good leader, and mentor. We know that legends never die and so we shall continue with his legacy. Will greatly miss Isaac! 
Dr. Rose Mukisa, Country Program Manager, EngenderHealth Uganda

The loss to the Fistula Care Plus project cannot be measured. In many ways, Isaac was a trailblazer, and, in all ways, he was reliable, thorough, and caring. We will miss him.
Dr. Lauri Romanzi, Project Director, Fistula Care Plus

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About EngenderHealth

EngenderHealth is committed to creating transformative, sustainable change by delivering high-quality sexual, reproductive, and maternal health services; expanding access to information and training; and advancing acceptance of sexual and reproductive rights as human rights. To achieve this vision, EngenderHealth collaborates with governments, private sector partners, international experts, and local organizations and communities around the world to deliver programs that give girls and women freedom to reach their full potentials. www.engenderhealth.org.