Higher education minister Dr Brian Mushimba says it will be against professional protocol and experts guidance to evacuate Zambian students in China in the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak.
He noted that the isolation and quarantine protocols advised by the experts in the prevention of the epidemic is important to adhere to especially in those areas that have been severely impacted by the epidemic.
Speaking when he received a donation of 20,000 face masks worth $10,000 from a Chinese firm to assist Zambian students in China, Dr Mushimba said the donation is timely and appreciated in the fight against the epidemic and will go to the intended beneficiaries.
He disclosed that all Zambian students in China living in the epicenter of the virus have been isolated and quarantined in an effort to minimize and eliminate transmission of the virus and assured that government is supporting the judgement of the experts for the safety and benefit of the students.
Dr Mushimba said government is in constant communication with the Chinese authorities in order to effectively support the Zambian students in that country during this period and further urged other students who are on self sponsorship to get in touch with the embassy in order for them to be assisted.
He assured that students are better off in China were the medication is being developed than flying for over sixteen hours just to be subjected to further isolation in Zambia where there is no medicine for the Coronavirus and further expose other citizens.
“ People have spoken about evacuating our students but I think that is premature and ill-timed because of the isolation and quarantine that is happening , even if there is chance of evacuation they would still not go back to their homes but will be quarantined further according to safety protocols” he said.
He assured that students are better off in China were the medication is being developed than flying for over sixteen hours just to be subjected to further isolation in Zambia where there is no medicine for the Coronavirus and further expose other citizens.
Dr Mushimba therefore said any discussions of evacuation are premature as government is listening to experts and going by what they are saying while keeping a tab on the students and providing any facilitation through the embassy in Beijing.
I kind of like the way this guy makes decions. He seems to be well processed upstairs.
…but its ok to have the 2,000 plus chinese leave their home country were the medication is being developed and come to Zambia where there is no medicine for the Coronavirus and further expose other citizens. Guess it makes sense ey!
I agree on the logic. In any case, where would this broke government find the money for charter a 200 capacity plane?
Also, how will the masks be delivered to locked down Wahun?
Please dull Brian just say you dont have funds for that…was creating a national airline based on expert advice?
everything f ucking little thing have to be donated to you. you’ve no shame.
as a government you can’t afford to buy masks but are busy wasting money on the byelections
you’re not cable of thinking and planning anything proactively.
block them Chinese from coming to Zambia until this issue is resolved. what are they coming to do other than running away from being quarantined.
Zambia has no capacity to evacuate the students, that’s all they need to say, we’ll understand, stop trying to justly by offering bs to the public
Quick to evacuate politicians but slow for our own students.
May 2021 come quickly. We need to restore basic order in public affairs.
When this guy suffered hand injuries from a late night car accident .He was evacuated to SA!
Of course he later childishly claimed he was footing the medical bill!
He makes good decisions. He processes things well and his intellect can be seen. Good job Mushimba.
He is a true professional…
In poor countries you are worthless, its a curse
The 2000 Chinese should not come back either. Suspend flights to and from China . We don’t want them. Let them stay in their home country where they will be quarantined not here ati self quarantine. They will make sure they spread the disease through our brothers and sisters who work for them. We all know how arrogant these Chinese are here in Zambia.
If these 2000 Chinese are allowed in to bring death in our country, you will be will held responsible ba of government.
There must be some very good experts in Zambia than all the developed nations. What load of horse manure this guy can give you. Has he told you the experts that he worked with? How come other countries that can afford have removed their people? Leaving them there is literally exposing them to the danger. What he should say is that, they don’t have money and no airline is ready to risk its reputation because of the PF failing government. Get it starlight you ignorant supporters. There’s no expert in their right senses that can expose people to a situation like that. HE IS LYING.
Good decision but please advise your boss to invest heavily in research to improve public health. This should serve as a lesson to leaders who make endless trips without being held accountable. If China was to advise today that all foreign students studying in China to be repatriated by their governments, Zambian government would fail to do so..
I agree with you