Adama Nyama Bah Combines NHS Practice with Women’s Health Advocacy

Adama Nyama Bah is being profiled for combining her work in clinical healthcare with advocacy and community empowerment in London.

The Sierra Leonean healthcare professional works as a colposcopist nurse within the United Kingdom’s National Health Service and is the founder of the Women’s Health Advocacy Network (WHAN), a charity established in 2021.

The Sierra Leone Telegraph published the profile on 12 October 2026, during Black History Month in the UK.

From Kabala to London

Bah was born in Kabala, the headquarters of Koinadugu District in northern Sierra Leone. According to the profile, she grew up in a large family shaped by faith, community values and service.

Her childhood was also shaped by civil conflict and limited access to healthcare. The experiences are described as part of the background to her commitment to supporting women and girls whose needs and voices can be overlooked.

Bah now lives in London, where her professional responsibilities in the NHS sit alongside her leadership of WHAN.

Supporting women through WHAN

WHAN focuses on improving health outcomes, promoting dignity and expanding opportunities for women from marginalised communities. Its work includes efforts to improve access to cervical screening, provide health education and support survivors of trauma.

The organisation also creates opportunities for women to develop skills and pursue economic independence. It connects women rebuilding their lives with training, mentoring and other development opportunities.

Many of WHAN’s service users are African women, and the charity operates from Southwark. Its work brings together healthcare professionals, community leaders, researchers and grassroots organisations to address health inequalities and build support pathways.

The network’s approach extends beyond health services. Bah works with community organisations, shares knowledge, provides mentorship and develops partnerships with groups serving vulnerable communities.

Advocacy, research and leadership

Bah has mentored aspiring community leaders and grassroots advocates, helping them develop leadership and organisational skills. She also engages men and community leaders in conversations about health, well-being and support networks.

Her work includes research and advocacy focused on barriers to support, drawing on professional practice and lived experience. The issues identified include cultural, social and economic obstacles that can affect access to assistance.

Bah was recently shortlisted for a Nursing Times award recognising leadership, innovation and measurable impact on patient care. The specific award category and outcome were not provided in the profile.

Through her NHS role and WHAN, Bah’s work brings together clinical knowledge, advocacy, mentorship and community partnerships in support of women experiencing multiple forms of disadvantage.