On the 20th February 2017 the SMP Health Links Forum was held, attended by over 40 members representing a variety of active health links between Scotland and Malawi.

Click here for the agenda and the minutes

SUMMARY

The meeting included:

1. Information on the Scottish Government’s new International Development Policy

Magnus Maharg, from the Scottish Government’s International Development team, offered an overview on the Government s new International Development policy and how this might shape support for health projects in Malawi in future funding rounds.

Click here to download the policy >>

Click here to download presentation slides >>

2. An update on the Scottish Global Health Collaborative

David opened the discussion on the Scottish Global Health Collaborative (SGHC) explaining that the issue of support for health professionals volunteering overseas had been raised in the health forum for a number of years. The SMP was delighted to see the issue now taken forward under the leaderships of Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer, with support from all NHS Scotland Boards and the Scottish Government.

​All Scottish organisations actively involved in Global Health are invited to join the SGHC Website.

The SGHC has set itself three tasks for its first year of operation – each of these presents opportunities for SMP members:

(1) Mapping all Scotland's existing global health activities:

Laura Macpherson from THET explain the work she’s undertaken to coordinate and support Scotland’s Global Health work, by mapping the scale of such activities.

If you haven’t already fed in to the survey please either complete www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/87PHX5S if you work in NHSScotland or academia, or www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/CFPM885 if work within an NGOs or another organisation.

Click here to view Laura’s initial analysis >>

(2) Developing recommendations for an NHS Scotland Global Health Framework:

Stuart Fergusson a Clinical Leadership Fellow from the Royal College of Physicians and Srugeons in Glasgow is leading the work developing recommendation for an NHS Scotland Global Health Framework.

Click here to download Stuart’s presentation >>

(3) Building SGHC’s visibility:

The SMP is involved in helping improve the SGHC’s communications by developing a basic website and social media presence.

Click here to visit the SGHC website, including information on how to join >>

3. Information on Africa Health Placements and plans to develop work in Malawi

Saul Kornik, Chief Executive Officer of Africa Health Placements joined the meeting via Skype. He outlined the work of AHP to support health systems through, among other things, recruiting health workers in South Africa, and their hope to develop links and opportunities for placements in Malawi in the near future.

Click here to download the Africa Health Placement presentation >>

4. Introduction to the “Glasgow Effect” project, Glasgow University

Paul Garside, Iain McInnes and Andy Waters from Glasgow University outlined the Scottish Government funded project between the university and the College of Medicine to support clinical research into inflammatory and cardiac diseases in Malawi and Glasgow communities.

Click here to download the University of Glasgow presentation >>

5. Lessons learnt from NHS Lothian and Edinburgh University cervical screening project

Heather Cubie and Christine Campbell from NHS Lothian/University of Edinburgh shared some of the key lessons learnt from their three-year Scottish Government-funded project on cervical cancer screening and treatment project in Malawi.

Click here to download the NHS Lothian/University of Edinburgh presentation >>

6. An update on health priorities and activities following the Scottish Government’s Malawian Symposium

On the 10^th February 2017 the Malawi Scotland Partnership organised the annual Symposium for Scottish Government-funded project leads in Malawi.

Click here for the notes from the Health Strand discussions >>