A Dunfermline-based vets is helping to transform the future of young veterinary students in Malawi.
Staff from Inglis Vets Hospital despatched more than 100 text books, lab coats, boiler suits and stationery to the veterinary school at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources in Malawi’s capital.
Several text books and other items were also donated by students and staff from the Royal Dick Vet School.
The gesture was co-funded by Inglis Vets and Lilongwe Society for the Protection and Care of Animals.
As a member of the Scotland-Malawi Partnership, Inglis first developed a relationship with Lilongwe SPCA in 2012 when chief executive Adam Tjolle and colleagues converted a very basic and ill-equipped clinic into a state-of-the-art facility.
Since the partnership began, the Inglis team has been back to help.
Quality assurance manager Audrey Kelly said: “Books are invaluable to student vets as they have a great deal to learn about many different species.
“Books are particularly important in Malawi, where internet access is slow and extremely patchy.
“Even something as basic as the supply of electricity cannot be guaranteed there.”
She added: “Less than a year ago, Malawi declared a state of emergency over worsening food shortages caused by a severe drought.
“The consequences for people are tragic, but the situation also impacts considerably on animal welfare.
“We’re determined to continue to provide support to our colleagues at Lilongwe SCPA.”
Lilongwe Professor Melaku Tefera was “humbled” by the support of the Scottish vets.
He said the Malawi school of Veterinary Medicine was established in 2014, the first in its country’s history, with a few old editions of veterinary books.
“This was until we met Adam and the team at Inglis who kindly sent us emergency books for our students.
“We’d like to thank them once more for not only the materials, but for the moral support they’ve provided through a time of uncertainty for us.”
Adam said the partnership has also provided a fantastic learning experience for the Inglis staff.
“We’ve been able to do some very worthwhile work in a desperately poor country with barely basic veterinary provision.”
Adam added: “When we forged our relationship with Lilongwe SPCA Malawi, which has a population of 14 million, they had only nine registered vets and it’s great to see progress in developing an infrastructure to improve that situation.”
