21 October 2025 (Last updated: 22 Dec 2025 14:23)
Having had the privilege of meeting Rebecca Fabrizi (the interim High Commissioner in Malawi from July to December) in Westminster to discuss the LION project, Kate Owers then had the great pleasure of reconnecting with her during her recent visit to Lilongwe. It was an honour for Kate to be able to introduce Rebecca to the current BSSH LION volunteers – and they, along with Sven Young (CEO of LION) and some of the Faculty for the AOA BSSH LION Hand Fracture Fixation Course, were delighted to be invited to the High Commissioner’s Residence in Lilongwe for an informal barbeque and to meet various members of her team.
Rebecca Fabrizi and Kate Owers (centre) with volunteers, faculty and other guests at the High Commissioner’s Residence, Lilongwe
Co-incidentally, their visit overlapped with that of the First Minister of Scotland and so later in the week Kate Owers and Jonathan Jones were invited to represent the BSSH LION Project at a Reception held in his honour. Despite over 200 people in attendance, they were able to meet and discuss the project with The Right Hon. John Swinney MSP and also introduce him to Sven Young CEO and Boston Munthali Medical Director of LION. This was his first trip to Africa, and Malawi in particular which has strong and historical links with Scotland, and was marking the 20th anniversary of the Co-operation Agreement between their two governments. He was fascinated to hear of the extra-ordinary work being carried out on a daily basis at LION, the horrific and increasing rates of severe polytrauma and also of the incredible work of the BSSH LION Project – saving limbs, livelihoods and thereby lives. It was such a pleasure to meet him and be able to share our ambitions of creating a sustainable Hand Unit as well as highlighting the desperate need to support the country in reducing their rates of road traffic accidents.
Jonathan Jones, Kate Owers, The Right Hon. John Swinney MSP, Sven Young and Boston Munthali in the gardens of the High Commissioner’s Residence
The Right Hon. John Swinney MSP, George Chaponda (Minister of Foreign Affairs) and Rebecca Fabrizi (British High Commissioner) following their speeches at the Reception
Following this special event, Kate welcomed the High Commissioner and her Health Advisor, Rashid Zaman, on a tour of the LION a week or so later. Rebecca was interested to hear from Sven about the history and development of this purpose built hospital and plans for the future, alongside the daily challenges the team faces in terms of increasing numbers of trauma patients, lack of sufficient funding from the government and difficulties in the procurement of basic consumables such as dressings and sutures. She spent over 2 hours visiting the site and speaking to various staff members and also got to inspect the new Research and Training Centre.
Rashid Zaman (Health Advisor, FCDO) Sven Young, Rebecca Fabrizi (British High Commissioner), Boston Munthali and Kate Owers at the LION
The extended BSSH LION team continue to work in partnership with their local colleagues to create, develop and deliver a world class hand surgery and therapy service in what will no doubt be the centre of excellence for orthopaedic surgery in SE Africa. It is such an honour and a privilege for the BSSH to be able to play a small part in their journey.
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