Scottish First Minister Visit

Scottish First Minister John Swinney has reaffirmed his governmen’s dedication to enhancing various sectors in Malawi, particularly the health sector. His remarks came during his first visit to Malawi, where he toured the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) in Blantyre. Swinney explored the Mental Health Department’s consultation room, supported by the Scotland Malawi Mental Health Education Partnership (SMMHEP), as well as the Dental Department at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QECH). He highlighted Scotland’s ongoing partnership with Malawi, which focuses on transformative projects and initiatives aimed at strengthening education and healthcare. .

“We are witnessing the positive impact of the projects we fund. The improvements in the lives of Malawians are evident. I'm especially impressed by the achievements at the BT-BT Lab and the graduation of Malawi’s first locally trained dentists,” he stated. KUHeS Vice-Chancellor Professor Macpherson Mallewa expressed his appreciation for Scotland's continued support, emphasizing its significance for training healthcare professionals in Malawi.

“This visit holds great importance for KUHeS and Malawi as a whole. I could elaborate on numerous Scottish government projects that have significantly improved our health sector. KUHeS and Scotland recently celebrated two decades of a vibrant partnership, which has bolstered health education and research in Malawi,” he noted..

The partnership between Malawi and Scotland has a rich history rooted in mutual support, collaboration, and shared goals, particularly in health and education. The Scotland-Malawi partnership continues to evolve, focusing on achieving sustainable development goals and addressing the pressing needs of Malawians, particularly in health and education sectors.