Swinney in Africa to see ‘transformative impact’ of Scottish work overseas

John Swinney is using a trip to Africa to find out how Scotland’s work there can have a “transformative impact on communities”.

The First Minister has travelled to Zambia, and is spending his first full day there finding out more about work to tackle global health challenges.

Mr Swinney will raise health issues when he meets the Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema – with the First Minister also due to press him on education and gender equality as well as how to strengthen links between their two countries.

The SNP leader will also visit the new Blantyre-Blantyre Lusaka Laboratory at the University of Zambia – which was supported with £1 million in Scottish Government funding and helps researchers from Zambia, Malawi and Scotland to work on efforts to tackle  non-communicable diseases.

And at Zambia’s University Teaching Hospital, he will see how Scottish based charity KidsOR is providing life-saving surgical care to youngsters.

Speaking ahead of the meetings, Mr Swinney stressed that global challenges – such as climate change, pandemics, conflict, poverty and inequality – could only be tackled if countries in the global north work with nations in the global south.

He said: “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.”

The First Minister said: “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.”

After spending time in Zambia, the First Minister will travel to Malawi, before returning to Scotland at the start of next week.