Enhancing patient care through education, quality improvement and digital innovation
Funded by the Scottish Government, the Scottish Global Health Partnerships Programme (SGHPP) is a flagship initiative demonstrating Scotland's ongoing commitment to advancing global health equality.
At its core, health partnerships are built on collaboration - bringing together people and institutions across countries to co-develop sustainable solutions that strengthen health systems and improve patient care.
One such collaboration is the Edinburgh Malawi Cancer Partnership, established in 2012 between NHS Lothian and the Oncology Unit at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) Blantyre. Working closely with the Malawi Ministry of Health, the partnership aims to strengthen cancer education, research, and treatment across all stages of the patient journey, with a focus on long-term sustainability.
Led by Dr Leo Masamba and Dr Ewan Brown since its inception, the partnership has delivered several impactful initiatives, including the Edinburgh Malawi Cancer Partnership (2013-2016) and the Edinburgh Malawi Breast Cancer Project (2015-2018). Building on this strong foundation, this marks the third joint project between NHS Lothian and the QECH Oncology Unit.
 |
 |
 |
The current phase of the project began in February 2026, when Dr Ewan Brown, Dr Ross Paterson, Dr Mark Stares, and Senior Charge Nurse Fiona Taylor travelled to Malawi. During the visit the team lead a quality improvement (QI) workshop and worked collaboratively with colleagues to review the chemotherapy treatment pathway, identifying opportunities to enhance patient care. Key priorities for the partnership were also agreed, with a focus on strengthening oncology education and developing health informatics. The visit also provided a valuable opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, review progress, and shape the next phase of the partnership.
Preparations are already underway for the next visit in November 2026. This ongoing collaboration reflects a shared commitment to learning, innovation, and improving outcomes for patients. We will continue to share updates as the project develops, and encourage patients, families and NHS colleagues to stay connected and follow the progress of this important work.
 |
 |