David Livingstone Fellowships expanded

Doctors from Zambia can come to Scotland to receive specialist training due to a £200,000 fund, International Development Minister Dr Alasdair Allan has announced.

The Livingstone Fellowship Scheme, provided through the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and Faculties in Scotland, will allow three experienced doctors from Zambia and Malawi to spend a year in Scotland receiving further training which they will then take back home to the benefit of their communities. It will also provide funding for up to a further eight doctors from both countries to receive the smaller fellowship grants.

Dr Allan made the announcement in advance of a week’s visit to Zambia, which will build on historical ties between Scotland and Zambia. During his visit, he will spend time in Central Province, the focus for the Scottish Government’s new Zambian Development Programme, to discuss the progress of projects and meet charities, agencies and local people implementing the work.

Among the other projects that the Minister will visit are an Action Aid / Grassroots Soccer initiative in the capital, Lusaka, funded in partnership with Comic Relief, that’s helping young people in slum areas by engaging young and adolescent girls in sport and supporting those at risk of violence. He will also meet with members of the Zambian Police Service and see the work that trainers from Police Scotland are delivering to help the Zambian Police Service improve child protection and reduce gender based violence.

The visit will be used to discuss how Scotland and Zambia can further collaborate in areas like global health, in pursuit of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Dr Allan said:

“I’m delighted that we are able to expand this valuable programme and extend it to Zambia, as a key partner country. In the past the Livingstone Fellowship Scheme has enabled doctors in Malawi to significantly increase their expertise and take those skills home for the benefit of their country. It is fitting that Dr David Livingstone’s legacy, which have left equally strong links between Scotland and Zambia, is also reflected in the award of these fellowships.

“By empowering people in developing nations and giving them the skills and opportunities to improve the lives of themselves and their communities, we are helping them to enhance sustainable, long-term development.

“I’m looking forward to getting the chance to see how our investment is supporting the excellent initiatives developed in Zambia, that are making a very real difference on a daily basis to the local population, not only now but for years to come.”

“I am also looking forward to discussing how Scotland and Zambia can further collaborate in areas like global health, as we develop our NHS Scotland Global Citizenship Programme.”

Background

The Glasgow Royal College Livingstone Fellowship scheme provides a framework for sponsored trainees to come and work in the Scottish Health Service for a year or more. This has previously allowed the doctors an opportunity to extend their experience before returning to Malawi to take up Consultant posts.

The funding builds upon the existing Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow Livingstone Fellowships Scheme, which has supported doctors from Malawi to come to Scotland for specialist training through small fellowships grants to meet the costs of their travel.