First Minister of Scotland John Swinney visits Kids Operating Room.

News

Thu Aug' 24

Yesterday, Kids Operating Room (KidsOR) had the honour of welcoming Scotland's First Minister, John Swinney, to our Centre for Global Operations in Dundee.

Over the years, we have built an incredibly impactful partnership with the Scottish Government, which has significantly contributed to bringing essential surgical care to thousands of children and transforming lives in countries such as Zambia, Rwanda, and Malawi.

The First Minister's visit provided us with the opportunity to showcase how much of this life-changing work begins right here in Dundee.

During his visit, the First Minister toured our Centre, observing the entire process of testing, preparing, and shipping paediatric operating rooms from Dundee to countries where they are most needed.

First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney, is shown around our facility by KidsOR Director of Global Operations, Dave Tipping.

John Swinney emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating, “As we approach the 20-year anniversary of our overseas development programme, it is important to reflect on the transformative impact this has had on communities in our partner countries.” He also highlighted Scotland’s broader commitment to international solidarity and the crucial role that partnerships like ours play in this effort.

This visit underscores the Scottish Government's continued commitment to supporting global health initiatives, particularly in enhancing paediatric surgical care in some of the world's lowest-resource countries.

The First Minister's visit reaffirms our shared goals and mutual commitment to expanding access to healthcare. We are deeply grateful for his, and the Scottish Government's, unwavering support. As we continue to work together, we aim to extend access to safe surgery to even more children, ensuring that every child, no matter where they are born, has the chance to lead a healthy and fulfilling life.