Portfolio Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament am ar 26 Mehefin 2024.
Michael Marra
Llafur
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update regarding the status of its international development fund and its funding for emergency medical projects in Malawi. (S6O-03628)
Angus Robertson
Scottish National Party
We have worked closely with our partner-country Governments on the design of new health, education and equalities programmes, with stakeholders kept informed throughout the process.
Our new health programme has been closely aligned to national priorities and it has been informed by our extensive research and elements that are already launched. That includes live competitive grant-funding rounds for Zambia and Rwanda, and will also include a health partnership programme that will support national health service staff partnerships with our partner countries Malawi, Zambia and Rwanda in sectors including emergency medicine.
Michael Marra
Llafur
In 2010, with support from the Scottish Government’s international development fund, a team of Scots—including medics from NHS Tayside—helped to set up the first dedicated adult and emergency centre at Queen Elizabeth central hospital in Blantyre, Malawi.
The work of the Scottish emergency medicine Malawi project was described to me as
“the exemplar of emergency care in Malawi.”
It was delivered under budget and was a great success. It was agreed that that Scottish Government funding be paused, at the start of the pandemic. Yesterday—I believe as a result of this question—project leaders were finally told that the funding will not be reinstated. The funding backed a promise to some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world—it was a moral commitment. The loss will be measured in lives. No reasons have been given. It is, in the words of the dedicated doctors, “an utter travesty.” For what reasons did the Cabinet secretary approve the cancellation?
Angus Robertson
Scottish National Party
I think that Mr Marra has received letters about that case in the past.
On the question that was asked of me, the Scottish Government will support better health outcomes in Malawi, Zambia and Rwanda through three core portfolio strands. First, there will be a health partnership programme, which will be a platform to facilitate partnership working between Scotland and our partner countries to respond to existing and emerging health challenges.
Secondly, there will be a multilevel programme on non-communicable diseases through a funding partnership with the World Health Organization; a new competitive project for Zambia and Rwanda; and a new multipartner health service joint fund, at the request of the Malawi Government.
We also have our long-standing relationship with, and investment in, the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences in Malawi and its current partner, the University of Glasgow.
Clare Adamson
Scottish National Party
The strong relationship between Malawi and Scotland is more important than ever. Can the Minister provide an assessment of how Malawi will benefit from the Scottish Government’s recent investment in the World Bank’s foundational learning compact inclusive education policy academy?
Angus Robertson
Scottish National Party
It is estimated that around 15 per cent of children in Malawi are disabled. According to recent estimates half of those children are out of school. Those children need support, which is why the Scottish Government is committed to supporting inclusive education across our partner countries.
As part of our support this year, we launched the World Bank’s foundational learning compact inclusive education policy academy. The project is supporting Malawi’s Ministry of Education and its Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, as well as representatives from organisations of persons with disabilities, in making better policy to provide access to education for those who need it most.
Alexander Stewart
Ceidwadwyr
Following Covid and the world’s worst cholera epidemic in 20 years, the emergency medical service in Malawi requires—now more than ever—that robust and resilient emergency systems be in place. What action can be taken to ensure that the funding that was awarded in the past can be replicated?
Angus Robertson
Scottish National Party
As I outlined to Mr Marra, three core portfolio strands relate to the question that was put. I am happy to write to Alexander Stewart with more details about all of them. Further funding announcements will be made during the course of this year in relation to the issues that Alexander Stewart has raised.
Liam McArthur
Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol
That concludes portfolio questions on constitutional affairs.
Question Time is an opportunity for MPs and Members of the House of Lords to ask Government Ministers questions. These questions are asked in the Chamber itself and are known as Oral Questions. Members may also put down Written Questions. In the House of Commons, Question Time takes place for an hour on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after Prayers. The different Government Departments answer questions according to a rota and the questions asked must relate to the responsibilities of the Government Department concerned. In the House of Lords up to four questions may be asked of the Government at the beginning of each day's business. They are known as 'starred questions' because they are marked with a star on the Order Paper. Questions may also be asked at the end of each day's business and these may include a short debate. They are known as 'unstarred questions' and are less frequent. Questions in both Houses must be written down in advance and put on the agenda and both Houses have methods for selecting the questions that will be asked. Further information can be obtained from factsheet P1 at the UK Parliament site.
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Cabinet ministers are appointed by the prime minister and chosen from MPs or peers of the governing party.
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War cabinets have sometimes been formed with a much smaller membership than the full cabinet.
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