Since its launch in 2021, the Partners In Health Liberia (PIH-L) scholarship program, supported by Global Action in Nursing (GAIN), has focused on building Liberia’s health workforce from the ground up. By investing in midwifery students, faculty, and training institutions, the program is addressing critical gaps in maternal and neonatal care while strengthening the systems that sustain quality service delivery.
The impact is undeniable. Madam Sawah K. Shaffa, Director of the Deanna Kay Isaacson School of Midwifery (DKISM) and a scholarship beneficiary, speaks passionately about the program’s transformative effects. “PIH’s support has significantly impacted students, staff, and the institution itself,” she shared. Beyond scholarships for deserving students, PIH provides compensation to two faculty members, repairs essential resources such as the institution’s vehicle, and offers additional institutional support.
Madam Shaffa’s journey exemplifies the program’s influence. Rising through the ranks over 17 years, she started as an instructor and became DKISM’s director in 2020. She credits PIH for enabling her to earn a master’s degree in nursing and midwifery education from the Mother Patern College of Health Sciences. “They go the extra mile to support our students and build our capacity,” she remarked.
The school, originally founded in 1983, was destroyed during Liberia’s civil war but reopened in 2008. When Madam Shaffa took over leadership in 2020, the institution faced severe challenges. “The first place I ran was to PIH,” she recalled. One of the most memorable moments was seeing their vehicle, which had been grounded for over four years due to a lack of funds for repairs, finally restored and operational thanks to PIH’s support.
Since 2022, PIH has been covering the wages of two faculty members, ensuring vital instructional support. Madam Shaffa highlighted how many scholarship recipients were on the brink of dropping out due to financial struggles. “They provided food, transported students to rotational sites, and brought them back to campus,” she said.
The process began in 2020 with discussions between Partners In Health Liberia and the Deanna Kay Isaacson School of Midwifery (DKISM). Despite delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, an official Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in 2022 to establish a collaboration to address key challenges in maternal and neonatal care.
With a vision to elevate DKISM to a bachelor’s degree-granting institution, Madam Shaffa emphasized the ongoing need for PIH’s support. “We still need instructional support. If the support for the two part-time instructors is withdrawn, the institution will face significant challenges,” she warned.
PIH’s contributions go beyond financial aid. The organization ensures students receive basic lifesaving skills training, preparing them for clinical rotations and equipping them with practical knowledge for their future profession.
The scholarship program, funded by GAIN through PIH, has extended its impact to staff from the Ministry of Health across Maryland, Sinoe, Grand Kru, and River Gee Counties. It stands as a testament to PIH’s commitment to strengthening Liberia’s healthcare system through strategic partnerships and education.
The program’s success highlights its role in fostering resilience and empowering the next generation of healthcare professionals. Through unwavering support, PIH is transforming Liberia’s maternal care landscape—one student, one institution, and one community at a time.
