A state-of-the-art research laboratory will be established in
Zambia thanks to £1 million of Scottish Government international
development investment.
First Minister confirmed the funding
following a meeting with the President of the Republic of Zambia
Hakainde Hichilema, alongside a delegation from the Zambian
Government, at Panmure House in Edinburgh. Scotland has a
longstanding partnership with Zambia, with a joint commitment to
collaborate in key areas, now to include health through tackling
the burden of non-communicable diseases.
The new facility, hosted by the University of Zambia, will
support life-saving research and increase access to vaccines in
the country. This extends existing Scottish Government support
for the Blantyre-Blantyre partnership between the University of
Glasgow and Kamuzu University of Health Science in Malawi. It
will create a ground-breaking three-country collaboration in
scientific research between the universities in Scotland, Malawi
and Zambia.
The First Minister said:
“The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of countries
working together across continents to jointly tackle global
health challenges. This initiative, led by Zambian and Malawian
expertise, with Scottish Government support, will improve health
outcomes in these countries as well as produce research that will
contribute to global good.
“This cutting edge research will also help to champion inclusion
and build capacity across Africa. For instance, the female
engineers trained to install solar power at the laboratory will
help to drive expansion in this sector and its future
contribution to the Zambian economy. This type of investment and
collaborative approach shows the contribution Scotland can make
and the impact it can have internationally when we also use our
expertise to add value in our partnerships with other
countries.
“It was a pleasure to meet with the President of Zambia and his
colleagues in Edinburgh to confirm significant additional funding
to extend this existing project in to Zambia. It was also
great to discuss Scotland’s ongoing commitment to strengthening
ties with Zambia and other areas for further co-operation such as
inclusive education, equalities and renewable energy.”
President of the Republic of Zambia Hakainde Hichilema said:
“We have always believed that education is the best investment a
country can make.”
“Scotland's history as a global leader in Education and Economics
is well known.
“Zambia's partnership with Scotland goes back many years and we
welcome the opportunity to refresh and renew this historic
friendship."
Background
The delegation from Zambia also includes the Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Minister of Education and the Minister of Finance and
National Planning.
Further information here: Capacity-strengthening
initiatives - International development - gov.scot
(www.gov.scot)
Notes to Editors
The Blantyre-Blantyre clinical research facility in Malawi to
promote international standard research in Africa has received £1
million from the Scottish Government’s International Development
Fund over five to six years, having commenced in 2017.
The Africa-Europe Innovation Partnership report, commissioned by
the European Commission Directorate General for Research and
Innovation, highlighted this collaborative research as best
practice between African and European institutions. The project
was also chosen as an example of joint work that addresses the
UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
The project team responsible for the Blantyre-Blantyre project
are now taking their expertise to Zambia with new funding from
the Scottish Government’s International Development Fund. In
collaboration with the University of Zambia they will build a
mirror image of the laboratory in Malawi which will also be
filled with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment.
It will also be solar powered with free solar installation
training and future employment for local Zambians. With an
emphasis on training female solar engineers the project will
offer never available before opportunities in the renewables
sector in Zambia. The laboratory itself will enhance ongoing
collaborations in Zambia, Malawi and Scotland, in the key area of
vaccine development and deployment for a wide range of infectious
diseases and their interface with non-communicable diseases.
