In strengthening health care delivery in Neno District, Partners In Health (PIH) Malawi, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, has awarded scholarships to six nurses to pursue further studies in various specialised fields.
The scholarships, which include five local and one international opportunity, aim to build the capacity of health personnel in the district.
The nurses will study for degrees such as Master of Science in Midwifery, Community Health Nursing and Critical Care Nursing as well as Bachelor of Science in Mental Health Nursing and Nursing and Midwifery.
Speaking during the award ceremony held in Neno, PIH’s Medical Director Dr. Christopher Banda emphasised the importance of investing in people to strengthen the health system.
“We are eager to build a health care system that is strong, reliable and driven by well-trained professionals. This is one way of ensuring that patients receive the best possible care,” said Banda.
Neno District Medical Officer, Albert Chafunya, welcomed the initiative, noting that the district has long struggled with a shortage of both general and specialised nurses.
“These scholarships will help us close the gap in health service delivery. We are truly grateful to PIH for this partnership,” he said.
One of the scholarship recipients, Pilirani Iddih, expressed her gratitude and pledged to use the opportunity to make a difference in her community.
“The knowledge and skills I will gain will help me deliver better care to patients in Neno. This scholarship means a lot, not just to me, but to the people I serve,” she said.
The scholarships are funded through the Takeda Grant, with a goal to improve the quality of health services in underserved areas like Neno.
