Ten nursing officers have received scholarships from the United Nations Population Fund to specialise in midwifery at the University of Goroka.  The scholarships are part of UNFPA’s work to strengthen the midwifery workforce in Papua New Guinea. 

According to the University’s Midwifery School Coordinator  Sr. Clerah Goveh, it costs K37,000 for an individual student to study midwifery for 18 months. 

“With financial constraints, most of these students pursue their midwifery studies with uncertainty on how to complete it successfully as a self-sponsored student,” explained Sr Clerah. “These scholarships really do take this weight off their shoulders and now their only focus is to study to provide the best for the mothers.”

“Midwives are the forefront of change for women in the country and I am relying on you to be that change and do the change,” United Nations Population Fund Country Representative Ms. Marielle Sander told the scholarship recipients. 

“The journey one takes to become a midwife is a journey of empowerment. When it comes to reproductive health, midwives know best and are the champions.”

“PNG needs a minimum of 5000 qualified midwives to change the statistics on maternal mortality,” said Ms Sander. “Currently, there are less than 800.”

“On behalf of the School of Midwifery and my students, we thank UNFPA for this generous support and investment,” said Sr Clerah. “The country really does need more midwives and we have to start somewhere. Ten new midwives is a step in the right direction.”

Sr. Clerah challenged her students to be the best and excellent students as pioneer recipients of these scholarships.

“Availability of these scholarships for future midwifery students depends on how well you perform in these 18 months. The school expects nothing less than excellent grades.”

University of Goroka’s Vice Chancellor Dr. Ten Waninga thanked UNFPA for its support for the midwifery program. 

“We are happy that you are here and partnering with us through these scholarships because this University is about serving people. That is our motto.”