The Countess of Wessex, Sophie Hellen, will visit Malawi from March 13 to 16 to celebrate ties between the UK and Malawi.
As Vice Patron of The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, Countess Helien, the wife of Prince Edward, the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip will visit UKaid-funded programmes.
A statement released by the office of the British High Commissioner to Malawi on March 7 indicates that the countess will also interact with young leaders in Malawi and celebrate their contribution to Malawian society.
“During her time in Malawi, Her Royal Highness will travel to the Kasungu District where she will see the activities underway between The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, the Malawian Ministry of Health and the International Coalition for Trachoma Control to eliminate blinding trachoma,” part of the statement reads.
British High Commissioner to Malawi, Holly Tett said the Countess’ visit is of great significance as Malawi in on track in the fight against trachoma, a disease that can cause blindness
“We are delighted to have Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex arriving in Malawi on Commonwealth Day to witness how two Commonwealth partners are working together to tackle global issues including fighting diseases like Trachoma.
“Malawi is on track to eliminate the disease by 2020,” Tett said.
The Countess will also visit Kamuzu Central Hospital to see the impact of the Commonwealth Eye Health Consortium.
Hellen will meet Malawian scholars and fellows who are receiving eye health training and carrying out research. She will also meet patients being screened for eye diseases including those by the new smart-phone based retinal scanning technology called Peek Retina.
The Countess will also undertake two visits to projects run by Malawi’s Queen’s Young Leaders.
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