MALAWI is celebrating its first students to graduate with a dental degree thanks to a “milestone” project backed by the Scottish Government.
Ten students from Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) have become the first in the country’s history to qualify with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery.
The MalDent project – supported by the Scottish Government since 2018 – has established Malawi’s first national dental degree programme and developed its first-ever oral health policy.
Scotland’s External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson welcomed the news as the world marks Africa Day on Sunday – an annual commemoration of the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity.
He said: “The Scottish Government is proud to stand behind its values that supporting people in our partner countries to improve their standard of living is, morally, the right thing to do.
“The MalDent project is an example of how our international development work is supporting a healthier and fairer future for people in Malawi, delivering long-term impact that will transform lives for years to come.
“On Africa Day, we are proud to celebrate Scotland’s long-standing friendship and partnership with Malawi and look forward to achieving more successes such as this together.”
The Scottish Government has invested £1.6 million to the MalDent project.
It is also supported in part by the University of Glasgow, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, NHS GGC, NHS Lothian, NHS Education for Scotland, Glasgow School of Art, Dentaid, Smileawi, Bridge2Aid, AMECA, Medical Aid International, The Borrow Foundation, Henry Schein Dental and the Dental Association of Malawi.
This training provides a new generation of locally based dentists, in a country which in 2016 had around 40 dentists for 18 million people. Now, there are 137 students currently studying for a Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree.
Professor Wakisa Mulwafu, executive dean of the School of Medicine and Oral Health at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS), said: “The MalDent Project has helped us to create a new workforce to address the oral health of people in Malawi.
“These graduates will play a vital role in delivering clinical care, shaping policy, supporting education and leading improvements in health systems for years to come.”
Professor Jeremy Bagg of the University of Glasgow, head of Glasgow Dental School, said: “This marks a milestone for oral health in Malawi. I’m proud of the graduates and deeply grateful to the Scottish Government.
“It’s proof that locally-led solutions, backed by sustained support, can drive lasting change.”
