First Minister John Swinney is attending a series of engagements on his first full day in Zambia on Wednesday, where his visit will focus on tackling global health challenges.
These engagements will include:
- Visiting the Blantyre-Blantyre Lusaka Laboratory, which is part of the University of Zambia. This new laboratory, which was supported £1 million in Scottish Government funding, provides a platform for Zambia, Malawi and Scotland to collaborate on research into non-communicable diseases.
- Holding a bilateral meeting with the President of Zambia HE President Hakainde Hichilema, during which the First Minister will raise gender equality, global health, inclusive education and further strengthening the relationship between Scotland and Zambia.
- Visiting University Teaching Hospital with charity KidsOR, who are providing life-saving surgical care to children in Zambia and across the world. He will see the positive impact of previous Scottish Government funding for this work.
He will also meet with the British High Commissioner to Zambia Rebecca Terzeon, and later join a working dinner hosted by Ms Terzeon.
Speaking ahead of his visit, the First Minister said: “Current global challenges such as climate change, pandemics, conflict, poverty and inequality can only be addressed if the Global South and North work together.
“We have seen how working together with our partner countries to better understand their challenges can have transformative impact on communities.
“This includes our work to support healthcare systems in Zambia, where our funding has helped to provide operating rooms for children’s hospitals and establish research labs. I look forward to seeing how our partnership approach is helping to tackle global health challenges– including in traditionally neglected areas like non-communicable diseases.
“Internationalism, and international solidarity, has never been more important and Scotland will continue to work alongside partner countries like Zambia to create a fairer, more equal world.”
