Government says it is shocking to learn that evacuation of Patriotic Front-PF leader Michael Sata to South Africa for medical treatment has been politicized by the PF.
Acting Information and Broadcasting Minister George Mpombo says it is unfortunate that the PF is seeking to make political capital out of good intentions by government.
Mr. Mpombo described the report attributed to PF Vice President Guy Scott that it is the wish of Mr. Sata to refund the government whatever will be spent on his treatment as a simple gesture of cheap politics.
Mr. Mpombo, who is also Defence Minister, pointed out that it is inhuman to trivialize an illness for cheap politics.
He said the decision by President Levy Mwanawasa to evacuate Mr. Sata to South Africa was well intended and made in good faith.
Addressing the Press in Lusaka today, Mr. Mpombo said the report attributed to Dr. Scott reflects poor judgment by the PF.
Mr. Mpombo noted that it appeared Dr. Scott wished government did not evacuate the PF leader to receive specialist treatment.
He alleged that Dr. Scott has shown that he has hidden interests saying no wonder that some people my incline to speculate that some PF leaders aspiring to take over from Mr. Sata do not wish the PF leader well.
He emphasized that there was little time to waste to evacuate Mr. Sata after Doctors assessed his condition.
The Acting Information Minister pointed out that Dr. Scott’s remarks are beneath decency and surprising given that he of all PF leaders should be grateful that government acted with speed to save the life of his president.
Mr. Mpombo said at such a time, people should learn to come together and pray for the quick recovery of someone ill and not to engage government is cheap politics.
He pointed out that no amount of talking will stop government from doing good things for any Zambian who finds themselves in difficult situations such as the one Mr. Sata was in.
Mr. Mpombo explained that the evacuation of people of different status in society is an exercise that is undertaken by government at its own cost and no patient is required to refund the state.
Mr. Mpombo, who on behalf of government wished Mr. Sata a steady and quick recovery, said Mr. Sata is entitled to the service that government provided him at government cost which is non-refundable.
And responding to Dr. Scott’s reference to the need to provide specialist treatment at home the services for which people are evacuated to South Africa, Mr. Mpombo said Dr. Scott should be aware that the New Deal Administration has invested a great deal in the establishment of specialized units, including the cancer unit at UTH.
He noted that this is an ongoing exercise which started during the tenure of President Mwanawasa.
The Post Newspapers today carried a story in which Dr. Scott is quoted as having said it is Mr. Sata’s wish to refund the government whatever money will be spent on his treatment.
In the early hours of Saturday 25th April, Mr. Sata suffered a heart attack and was evacuated to South Africa for specialists treatment by government.
There’z news doing rounds pa LSK that Sata’s Son just died. The notorious kid who’s supposedly living with HIV? Anyone with info? MYSRIP and Long Live the King..King Cobra!
Sata’s condition and evacuation is indeed above gaining political mileage by either camp.If Cobra wishes to re-imburse the State we can only applaud such a gesture from a citizen who values the scarce resources the govt. has at hand.Sata and his PF are part and parcel of the democratic balance we hope to maintain and he just like any other citizen should have confidence of State aid where required.It’s not in the interest of democracy to politicize this situation.PF will be beaten at the polls not by allowing their leader to die unnecessarily!!
His father is next
SPECIAL TRIBUTE to PROF. MUBANGA KASHOKI
I wish to invite intellectuals to join me in applauding the stand Prof Kashoki took in respect to the BRAIN TUMOUR he developed.
The government offered to evacuate him to South Africa for the brain surgery but refused.He instead insisted on showing how much confidence he had in his former students expertise that if given the equipment would perform beyond expectations.The government ended up buying MR-OR,Endoscope,stereotactic guidance equipment and the brain tumour operation was carried out successfully at UTH.Due to his foresight we now don`t evacuate anyone to have brain tumour operations.
It`s time we developed our own CARDIAC center …cont
Continued from #4
I think it would be wise to develop our own cardiac center which could benefit the whole nation.How much resources do we have to waste to realise that we can develop our own health facilities that we can be proud of.
Instead of always reacting after the fact,why can`t we pre-act for once.
Sata is finished, period. And why did Levy waste our hard earned grudas to send a man who has brought a heart attack on to himself? The man is always on campaign rallies, he smokes like a chimney and drinks like a fish. He has go what he deserves and next time this heart attack comes back, send him to Chitulika pwaa village to see a Sangoma.
It is disturbing that while Hon Sata is realing in pain, some of his party officials are engaged in silly talk about his condition.These should be moments of serious reflection and prayer for the recovery of Hon Sata especially in his party.We in the MMD regard the conduct of some PF officials as unfeeling both to Mr Sata and his family.We value Mr Sata’s contribution to our democracy and hence our Presidents’ authorising the evacuation.If we were to swap places would the PF have done made this gesture?Lord knows.The MMD wishes Mr Sata, Mr Sata’s family & PF divine guidance in these difficult times.
Ba Chapi, the expertise of our Zambian medical professionals has seldom needed questioning…a fact we are ALL aware of.We need to continually pressure govt. to re-equip the hospitals at a faster pace than is being done at the minute.Whilst we have highly qualified practitioners in UTH,KCH etc we must recognise the fact that most of them have private clinics too or work for many of them whilst lending their time to govt. hospitals.Would it be crazy to assume it is not on their interests to have well equipped govt. hospitals so as to create business for themselves elsewhere???
#1 Do You know your HIV status? Regardless of whether it is +ve or -ve, would you be happy with bloggers to strip you of your LT psuedonym and publicly announce that you are HIV +ve.(like what you have just done) spreading message/rumours that so and so is HIV +ve? How did you find out the chap’s HIV status?Please lets observe some decency and respect for others. Notorious or Not. Offspring of politicians or not.Lets not behave like a bunch of rumour-mongering housewives from some shanty compound on this blog
the people that advise Govt. on what and when to buy medical equipment own their own hospitals which they are equipping at a rate faster than govt.LPM is not a medical doctor and wouldn’t know a dental drill from a cat scan machine and he relies on these “advisors” when drawing up a list of procurement priorities!! not everything is as simple as we all would like it to be !!
#8 TOP
I understand your concerns about specialised medical practitioners running private clinics but I would like to disagree with you on any conflict of interest.There are no private clinics in Zambia offering specialised cardic surgeries for example.If they were any,then your point about conflict of interest would arise.I think the ones that would suffer alot from us setting up specialises health care facilities would be South African clinics and not our local private clinics.
What is wrong with The Patriotic President refunding the government?So far there has not been a statement saying that Mr. Sata is not appreciative.Ok job well done they evacuated Mr. Sata to RSA and now what about the remaining 10 million Zambians. All I was expecting from the Minister was maybe a statement saying they will continue buying medical equipment and training the medical personnel so that ordinary Zambians have access to better medical treatment. That Minister should also know that every Zambian has a right to receive medical treatment and not only politicians
#4 &5 Chapi.Good suggestion though I would add that entreprenuers and private sector should take the lead perhaps with govt support such as helping in securing finance or guaranteeing (business) usage of facility. I doubt sustainability of GRZ’s efforts at UTH. After a while equipment breaks down specialist leave for geener pastuures and management/vision changes and the project falls apart. Correct me if I am wrong but I assume that these specialist RSA hospitals like morningside, Millpark etc are private enterprises. WE can do it too.
#11 ba Chapi, I see you are not aware our local cardiac/orthopediac/neuro etc etc specialists get “referral commissions” from RSA hospitals !!! when you have a heart condition for example, you will be advised (usually from UTH) to go and see Dr XX at a private clinic in lusaka who in turn will advise you that he/she is unable to treat you due to a lack of equipment but as part of the service, will refer you to a close colleague in an RSA hospital to get you “fixed” as good as new !!!! any clearer my friend??
#8 All that info,(apart from his death, which is Sad if it’s true) is in the public domain. He featured in the Glaxosmith trials, and there was publicity with his case cause he waived his rights. If u’re well read, u’ll not that his status was not rumour mongering.
The govt has to invest in most of the equipment needed at big Hospitals and not only at UTH. Some equipment like the used for ECHO and ECG to mention but a few cannot easily be accessible at UTH. There are long ques even when there are emergencies while private Hospitals being run by the same doctors at UTH have those equipment but charges are beyond any common person. How many cardiologist or other specialised field are there at UTH? Most of them if not all of the few that are at UTH are expatriates from Egypt. We should emulate Cuba that has invested in health, agriculture etc. Cuba exports doctors to many developing nations like Zambia. Let set our priorites properly.
#13 Theoretician
I used to work at Morningside and Sandton clinics in South Africa.It`s true that they are privately run by a company called MEDI- CLINIC private hospital group.This is the reason I am so passionate about the fact that Zambia can manage to set up such facilities if our resources were properly directed.The only difference is the equipment that they have.Most of these clinics in South Africa employ alot of Zambians.What ends up happening is Zambians treating Zambians in South African clinics.My point is that we`re simply paying to use SA`s equipment.
I also agree with you on the need for the private sector to partner with govt in revamping our healthcare sector.
#15 Waived his rights for you to start peddling his HIV status on blogsites.That’s a bit strange!
This sad message can worsen sata’s condition. Mr mpombo those are good words to PF,let those with ears hear!
#18 Lekeni ukuba Narrow minded. If u waive rights to publication, it does not matter who publishes the info…Newspapers, TV’s or even blogging.
#17 Chapi. I certainly hope some enterprising Zambians with the skill and resources can team up even with foreigners and set something up along those lines.We now have shopping malls like Arcades, Manda HILL etc. Next stop: Good Hospitals like morningside right there in Lusaka or Kitwe etc
#21 Theoretician
That`s my dream too.I certainly hope to be a part of such progressive development.
#22 Chapi. Good day. Signed off.
#23 Theoretician
Nice blogging with you and have a woderful day too.
What did you expect from the Party for fools(PF)? a snake will always be a snake and calling him Mr Njoka won’t make any difference…
“He pointed out that no amount of talking will stop government from doing good things for any Zambian who finds themselves in difficult situations such as the one Mr. Sata was in… explained that the evacuation of people of different status in society is an exercise that is undertaken by government at its own cost and no patient is required to refund the state.”
What a relief! Thank you Mr Mpombo for making it clear that I can count on GRZ. I may just come with the above quote one day should I need evacution to RSA or elsewhere one day.
As for PF, please learn to appreciate help. My former Sec. Sch. teacher used to advise us,” think before you ink.”
#83 walitumpa
IF THAT THUG IS ATTACK ONCE MORE, DO NOT EVEN WASTE TIME AND TAX PAYER’S MONEY.HE HAS ALREADY HAD HIS SHARE.LET HIM JUST KICK THE BUCKET.STUPID CHAPs……
I MEAN ATTACKED….
First, I would like to congratulate the pipo of Zambia (tax payers) for for having afforded PF leader Michael Sata the change to continue living. I would also like to agree with the idea of Sata refunding the pipo of Zambia what they had spent on his evacuation to South Africa-SA. This makes a lot of sense as no common man/woman/child gets evacuated to SA or UK for medication. If the few previledged ones start paying back they will definitely , realize the importance of having such facilities at home. The fact that those few citizens don’t pay for almost anything does not occur to them that those facilities should at home. In fact I don’t think Levy has ever used UTH since he became…
…president. He is always evacuated to UK even for just kamutunta. He is a seriuos cost centre in Zambia. Such a person whose would not think of state-of-the-art medical facilities in Zambia because tax payers even buy him toilet paper. If they should start paying for medical expenses as Sata has indicated they would feel how painful it is and just want to quickly have the same facilities in ZAmbia. Zambian doctors are highly qualified and perform extremely well abroad where facilities are in place. In fact most of those I know are head of departments. Others even run big hospitals-eg, Dr Mulenga in Botswana at Marina Hospital in Gaberone (if he is still there)..
If I were a president an
…If I were a president and had such a poor health like Levy, I would make sure that each and every provincial HQ has a hospital equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, so that I can be evacuated within wherever I am in Zambia. In fact its mmd who are politicizing the who thing and not pf. PF wamts to give back what doesn’t morally belong to them-or is it Sata. I am pretty sure if it wasn’t a heart attack-HA, (HA doesnt afford you any choice as you are mostly unconscious) Sata would have preferred locacl a local hospital/clinic. So, anyone seeming to suggest that he should have refused to go to SA is very ignorant of HA.
This is not to suggest that when we have properly equipped…
…hospitals and clinics there will be no evacuations. No. But, by then evacuations will be few and for every citizen and will make a lot sense. As this will not be due to lack of properly equipped medical centres but due to certain rare clinical cases.
Just consider a situation how a bread earner reacts to finds (during day time) his dependants switched the lights on in a toilet and bathroom even if the rooms are not in use. I don’t need to tell you. Rulers (they are not at all leaders) in Zambia behave like foolish dependants who don’t care how they use household facilities. Dependents only become aware when they start running their own houses-and become very strict.
…So, don’t politicize the issue of Sata paying back the bill. He is just too aware and conscious of a common man/woman/child who does not use it.
Someone mentioned that Sata is ill coz of holding rallies oftenly. Yes! I think politicians should always be in contact with the electorate regularly. The relationship between the electrate and politicians should not be ending after elections. The electorate need to be updated on national issues on a regular interval-which is what Michael does. Politicians need to maintain that relationship. The electrate aren’t disposables…
…And people must be reminded that its not Levy who sent Sata to SA. Its the Zambian people. In the same way they send him (Levy) to UK where he is attended by Zambian doctors and nurses using proper medical facilities.
In Zambia we always think rulers are doing us a favour when they build a school or clinic in their area. In fact leaders (not rulers) where entrusted by electorates just to do that. They are supposed to be servants of the pipo, and not masters. The electorate are the masters and must be served as such. In case we didn’t know (be educated that) even under pants (utubushi) that leaders and their wives and children wear are bought by the citizens…
…We pay for their electricity, water, transport, food, etc.
So Michael, please, pay back the medical bill to the Zambian pipo.
By so doing you will be reminded to build more hospitals with proper equipment, and even properly equip old ones.
I PRAY FOR YOUR QUICK RECOVERY AS A ZAMBIAN, AND NOT AS A MEMBER OF PF. GOD BLESS YOU.
The whole idea of evacuating people to other countries for specialised treatment is bad. As most have said, that money if put together can equip many hospitals with modern equipment. Many Zambians could have benefited unlike now, only public figures with lots of money enjoy. As for Sata, he doesn’t need to refund that money. We wont even see where it’ll go. If he’s really serious, let him just buy equipment worth that money and donate it to UTH.
USE THE BLOG CONSTRUCTIVELY PLEASE PEOPLE.
# 38 dean
Yes we do. Thanks
#4 and #39 F’UCK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Actually #28 F’UCK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!
ba PF kubula maano.appreciate for the help.
Feelers are that LPM refused to give King Cobra his passport back for him to go and seek medical attention 3 days before he had this attack.
Had the cobra died becos of that, LPM and his cronies would have Sh…………..in their pants for sure. Any confirmation to this story?
#43. Does this mean that Hon Sata has been going for check ups without informing the public while he has been ranting about our President LPM’s medical check-ups in the UK.
I totally think this behaviour has been very irresponsible – of Mr PF President Sata.
#3 I did not know that there are zedians you like you who are evilminded and who wishes other pipo to die for their own glory. You sound like Lucifer himself. SHAME ON U OLD MAN!
Editor
Please don’t waste space by giving us the Mpombo assertions. Does he need a press conference to respond to Scot’s remarks? Both of them are politicizing the issue, ‘pot calling kettle black’.
The evacuation of Sata must be clearly stated here and now that was political, and must be politcised.
Why is it that only those close to corridors of power are the beneficiaries of such a policy? Why not ordinary people in all walks of life? Why, even the UTH does not have drugs or water 24/7! It is beacuse we have senseless people at the top, and most Zambians are gullible. They are too scared of politicians unlike in other countries where politicians FEAR citizens! Unless there is mental cleanups among Zambians so that politicians are NOT feared BUT are made to account for their stupidity, we will continue to have vegetables in public office as led by LPM.
go guy scott !go gogogogogogoggg!!you are an ***** and a liability to PF…you have failed Lusaka Central cosntituency.
LT Admin could you please put a flyer on the comment box urging bloggers to observe decorum, avoid insults and be productive in their posting. It might help. Right now the situation is out of control.You have to keep sanity on the blogsite otherwise serious people will strat to shun it. A few people are turning the blogsite into some form of “cyberspace” KMB bus station or Masala main callboys arena.
All,
Please forgive me for the years of my idiocy here.I have foolishly & unconsciously insulted Levy & MMD because of a US $ 2500/month scott has been paying me to build an anti MMD environment. Good leadership is governed by the rule of law which has happened in Zambia where my Presido Sata was evacuated to South Africa on government bills .That is good leadership and governace where decision making is based on principle not hatred.There is true leadership in MMD.Guy Scott with all his failure in Lusaka Central has just been exploiting our ignorance. Asking for MMD forgiveness for my years of insults .
IF PF REALLY WANT TO PAY BACK THE MONEY, THEY CAN CONTRIBUTE THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY TO THE STREET KIDS.
SATA, TURN ONE OF YOUR HOUSES INTO the HOME OF STREET KIDS. OTHERWISE umutima obe wakulatunta kwati nika lengwe ka table tenese.
Sata na Chiluba balilye imfufwee thats why IMITIMA shiletuntiza.
#40 if you don”t have anything to contribute please shut your beak.
Use of abbusive language is an offence lets try to refrain.
#1, #15 and #20. Police suspect suicide in Chiluya Sata’s case Times of Zambia 30/04/08. Introspect on some factors that could have led the young man to commit suicide.I think the burden of people peddling his “supposedly public domain +ve HIV status” might have been to heavy on his shoulders.Not everyone is strong. So lets not “waive” peoples rights to privacy and dignity just because they were desperate to get treatment from this terrible disease. Even if you come across personal such data through work, literature etc it morally incorrect to take it upon your self to indiscriminately disseminate it.You could be leading someone to commiting suicide. I must say though that I am not accusing
CTD I must say though that I am not accusing any of you of having led the late to take his own life. However, I am trying to highlight a pervasive/insensitive/uncaring/prejudiced attitude in society which we must refrain from. It sounds like simple “KAcheparism” but it can be very destructive. Already there are kachepas about so and so sleeping with so and so. Where are the facts??
knowing or unknowing sata’s illness will be talked about everywhere in this country especially where he is well know.the man is a politician and he is leading one of the biggest parties in zambia.it is possible to politisize his sickness coz that what he does.people wil talk either good or back so let the platfrom be left open for people to talk about it.i am sure even himself when he come back he will politisize the issue.
Sata calls Levy cabbage, what is going to be known by when he returns after what happened to him? Indeed pride goes before a fall.
#54(#1,#15,#20)kindly may you comment on what i have taken from the times of zambia:’By Times Reporter
Opposition Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata’s son, Chilufya has died.
PF spokesperson, Given Lubinda confirmed Chilufya’s death in Lusaka yesterday.
Mr Lubinda said Chilufya, 30 was found dead in his bedroom at 37 Serval Road, Kabulonga.
“He went to sleep the night before and people thought he was just in his bedroom when they discovered that he was not coming out of the room,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Lubinda said Mr Sata who is admitted to Milpark Hospital in South Africa was recovering.
He said Mr Sata had been moved from the Intensive Care Unit to an open ward.
cont..“Mr Sata is making remarkable progress,” he said.
this is what i have quoted for you
Ugghh Allah Moudouloulayi… My brotherz and sisters it is not the good thing to rejoice in the other peoples sorrows Walai… especially the number #83 and some others . Allah is not happy with this kind … walai
To Allah we are all the zame… whether you are the Tonga or mbemba .. You did not choose but Allah choose for you even to be the Zambia people… I really like dis county … we always should to remember and pray for its deliverence….
61. I support you 200%. Sata is one of our old politicians and deserves to be respected. However, the negative reaction from the public is not caused by him alone as a leader, it is the behaviour of his tribesmen, the Bembas who hate other tribes in Zambia and only portraying themselves as the rightful people with leadership qualities. I wonerd whether Mr. Sata as president would do the same if a Tonga, Lozi, Kaonde, Luchazi, Luvale, Soli, Lenje, opposition politician became sick. Certainly a big No. This is a big lesson to learn that we need each other regardlesss of tribal assocaitions in such situations. Be wise and wake up. Don’t hate others. We are all children of God. God Bless Sata
To all those who are against the treatment of Mr. Sata and politicising the issue. You are dead wood yourselves. We need each other during such times. That is why the message in 62 above is an eye opener. Stop hating other people/tribes even if they hate you. It is time to build the country through diversy tribal and cultural acceptance. I wish the old man quick recovery and back to the political platform because he keeps the politics active and interesting.Be wise and loving.
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