Iceland Prime Minister in Malawi
Iceland Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson is in the country for a five-day official visit during which he will hold bilateral talks with President Lazarus Chakwera and other Malawi Government officials.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that Benediktsson, who arrived yesterday, will meet the President today.
Reads the statement in part: “Then he will be hosted to a banquet which has been organised in honour of the 35 years of bilateral relationship between the two countries.”
The Icelandic Prime Minister is also scheduled to visit various local projects funded by his government to have first-hand impressions on the impact of support in Malawi.
This visit is expected to further solidify the bond between Malawi and Iceland, exploring new areas of cooperation and reinforcing existing ties.
In an interview yesterday, Icelandic Ambassador Inga Pe’tursdottir said this is the first time the Prime Minister is visiting Malawi.
She said: “He is also going to appreciate our work on the ground in the sectors of health and education.”
According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the visiting Prime Minister is scheduled to depart on Thursday.
Iceland Government supports Malawi in various sectors, including human rights, education, health and arts.
Among other projects, the Icelandic Government is funding the construction of the Makanjira Comprehensive Emergency Obstetrics and Neonatal Facility in Mangochi District which is expected to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths in the area.
Launched in October 2023, the K2.5 billion one-year project is set to benefit a catchment of 120 000 people and will have a life-saving operating theatre, antenatal, labour and post-natal wards as well as a high dependency unit for newborns.
Speaking during the facility’s launch, Pe’tursdottir disclosed that they have also constructed maternity wings at Mangochi Hospital, Monkey Bay Rural Hospital, Lilja’s Fistula and One Stop Centre and 28 health posts in rural areas, including 15 waiting homes, 38 staff houses and 10 rural maternity wards.
