Royal College welcomes students from Malawi’s first dental school

05 Sep 2024

This week, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow was honoured to receive a visit from two Malawian dental students, Esther Khomba and Chifundo Banda. Due to graduate in January 2025, the pair study at Malawi’s first dental school, which was set up with help and support from Professor Jeremy Bagg OBE, the College’s former Director of Global Health and Emeritus Professor at the University of Glasgow.

The students’ busy schedule began by meeting with Alison Lannigan, Chair of the College’s HOPE foundation, followed by a heritage tour of the College’s buildings.

They also met with College President, Mike McKirdy. He said: “It’s a special privilege to host these students at the  College, to hear about their personal journeys, and the hopes they have for improving access to dental care at home in Malawi.”

Esther and Chifundo attend Malawi’s Kazumu University of Health Sciences supported by the MalDent project – an initiative targeting the nationally-identified need in Malawi for improved oral health. Previously, the country’s population of around 20 million was served by only 43 dentists. This first ever cohort of graduates, including Esther and Chifundo, will now provide support for the delivery of a national oral health programme, easing the pain of many by improving access to dental care.