Scotland funds Zambia’s life-saving vaccine research

By NATION REPORTER

A STATE-OF-THE-ART research laboratory will be established in Zambia, thanks to £1 million of Scottish Government international development investment.

First Minister Humza Yousaf confirmed the funding following a meeting with President Hakainde Hichilema, alongside a delegation from the Zambian Government at Panmure House in Edinburgh.

Scotland has had 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 shall support life-saving research and increase access to vaccines in the country.

The funding has now extended existing Scottish government support for the Blantyre-Blantyre partnership between the University of Glasgow and Kamuzu University of Health Science in Malawi.

It shall create a ground-breaking three-country collaboration in scientific research between the universities in Scotland, Malawi and Zambia. “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,” First Minister Yousaf said.

“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,” he said. 

“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,” the First Prime Minister said.

And President Hichilema said his government had always believed in education because it was the best investment any country would make.

“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,” President Hichilema said.

President Hichilema was leading a delegation comprising Minister of Foreign Affairs, Stanley Kakubo, Douglas Syakalima, the Minister of Education and Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane, the Minister of Finance and National Planning.