The Blantyre-Blantyre Health Partnership Project

That the Parliament commends the ongoing work of the Blantyre-Blantyre project, which has produced a joint healthcare programme to better understand the causes of poor health and low life expectancy in Blantyre, Malawi and in the West of Scotland, including in Blantyre; understands that the project was developed through a two-way discussion of need and expertise between the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences and the University of Glasgow, and has included the development of cutting-edge research facilities established largely through Scottish Government support; believes that the Blantyre-Blantyre equitable partnership model is internationally acclaimed and has helped to shape the overall approach to equitable partnerships of the Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities; notes that the First Minister recently visited the new Blantyre-Blantyre research laboratory in Lusaka, Zambia, where Scottish International Development funding has enabled an expansion of the project and ground-breaking three-country research collaboration between Scotland, Malawi, and Zambia; believes that the collaboration has strengthened the institutions involved, leading to meaningful improvements in healthcare in their respective countries and illustrating how Scotland’s continued international research and development partnerships can drive lasting change for communities both locally and globally, and commends all of those involved in the project for their continued efforts.