By Pezzy Kudakwashe
I have never been an advocate of airlifting people to foreign countries for medical treatment. We, as Zambians, have built a steady culture of medical evacuations in the recent past. We do the evacuations in Zambia because of our very poor medical infrastructure.
However, if I was the one needing medical help only found outside Zambia,I bet my view would be different. I would definitely want to be evacuated promptly. I mean quite quick, fast paperwork, signatures here and there, no time wasting just to have access to that kind of treatment.
In the meantime,I hope it is fair to suggest that medical evacuations are only being used as a temporary option, while we fix our medical infrastructural mess.
As a silent rule, no one should be evacuated for medical treatment. Because doing so could cause a devastating strain on our country’s merge finances and further weaken our small economy. So,this silent rule exists invisibly, however, there have been exceptions to the rule.
In a crisis, someone has to make that call to evacuate a life in order to save it. Some medical evacuation story endings have been tragic, while others have been successful, nevertheless, somebody had to make that judgement call for an evacuation.
On December 8, 1991, Levy Mwanawasa, the first Vice president of Zambia under MMD government, was involved in a serious traffic accident in which his aide died on the spot. He suffered multiple body injuries and was flown to Johannesburg, South Africa for medical treatment. He remained hospitalized for three months.
Late President Fredrick Chiluba made the judgement call to save Mwanawasa’s life. Mwanawasa was saved on that fateful day, the treatment he got from South Africa restored him well enough to be the president when Chiluba left office. The treatment was a success story although Mwanawasa was left with a problem with his speech.
Following a heart-attack on April 25, our sitting president, Mr Sata, who was in opposition then, was evacuated to Johannesburg by Mwanawasa his opponent, without which results could possibly have been fetal. After treatment, Sata and Mwanawasa met and reconciled over their political differences. At the end of the day, Sata’s life was saved by a timely judgement call made by Mwanawasa.
Last year, Rupiah Banda had to make his own judgement call when he evacuated Dr Kaseba, Sata’s wife for medical treatment in South Africa. Who knows what the results could have been.
So, this judgement call has never been done just for those in the ruling party of the day, it has and should be done when politicians in power express to us how human and they are and how much they care.
The list of those helped by government using taxpayer’s money is endless. People have been saved with the aid of great medical facilities only found outside Zambia.
In 1999, a fatal accident happened on the copperbelt claiming the life of ZNBC veteran cameraman, Ricky Chinene. He had been part of a crew rushing to cover a story on a fire at Indeni refinery in Ndola.The Energy minister Minister then, Benjamin Yoram Mwila, ordered for a medical evacuation of some of the crew members who survived the crash.
The evacuation was to have among others, the late veteran journalist Mangani Phiri, receive medical treatment in South Africa. It was a great call that Mr Mwila made. It was a right one too and such leadership decisions always need to be a applauded.
Today the same man, Mr Ben Yorum Mwila is in a major dilemma, he just lost his 21-year-old son Yoram, in a fatal car crash. Mr Mwila’s mourning of his son could turn into double tragedy because his daughter, Lilly, who was also in the crash that killed Yoram, is still in critical condition.
My plea to President Sata is, could you make that judgment call and evacuate this young girl. Reliable sources say she has been in a coma since the day of the accident. It’s time to forget our political differences and embrace brotherhood. I would not love to see a former leader go through double tragedy, when someone as caring as president Sata is watching.
Very thoughtful. May the Almight God save this young life.
Here here Pezzy
Sorry brother Sata is a CNP at the moment as HH told us, he is fighting too many battles he self created such the judiciary and membe,chief justice,non performing economy,jobless youths,fuel shortage,power cuts,kwacha depreciation, HH is also a problem as he is gaining ground each day
We should all die in zambia,who do you want to die at shangombo rural health centre?
No mercy in Hell. You may as well pray to the Devil for deliverance. His mission is to kill and destroy. Even Kambwili was Surprised that his government did NOTHING at Yoram burial. Cobras are lethal. Hyenas are scavengers. UTH has a good mortuary for patriotic Zambians. Death can never be stopped. Remember George’s funeral speech by CNP?
A snake is always a snake. Sata is evil
Everyone deserves a second chance
What led to Robiana’s death? How did our doctors go ahead with the operations without considering tests for cancer, infact after the operations the doctors assured the nation that the tumor was none cancerous. how come we are told he died of cancer. Was there political pressure to please the bosses? I believe our doctors are competent enough to have noticed the cancer before the operation, why? after the operation, the same doctors told us the cancer had spread rapidly. This case is interesting. I advise Robiana’s family to sue state, this was unfair!! If the boy was taken to India, maybe they were going to take time before operation.
According to UTH authority Robina’s operation was successeful but led to her death. Then what is success in broad term, i need an answer please?
Succesfull because she did not die during the operation.
Valid sentiments. The decision to evacuate is also based on whether the process of evacuation itself would tip the patient over the edge and just quicken their death. If the patient has (for instance) a fracture of the upper vertebrae or back bone protecting sensitive parts of the spinal cord or brain swelling (oedema) from trauma, there is the danger that the brain could be pushed downwards through the narrow boney opening of the spinal coed and this could lead to death.
The policy is to stabilise the patient first, and when such risks are minimised, evacuation is carried out. I hope this sheds a little light on the process involved. Sometimes the approval to evacuate is already granted, but awaits the attending doctors accessment that the risk of death from evacuation is minimal
Thanks very much for the article kindy president Sata come in and help this young girl may God be with you Hon Mwila in this difficult time .
Gentle men, be rational in your comments. You cannot evacuate a patient in coma. Unless you want to start pointing fingers again should the person die in transit. As for Robaina, it was just a matter of time, action or innaction he was going to die. Only maybe delayed a bit in the latter case.
I like the article but author is sounding like a cheerleader of a government that has no plan for development and the PF government is essentially incompetent.  The crucial question is to ascertain the doctor/patient ratio. Zambia can’t discuss good patient care without addressing the issue of medical professionals who left Zambia for the diaspora. In the UK and USA the ratios are one nurse to six patients but in Zambia it seems it is one nurse looks after 600 patients, this is unsustainable. It is unfortunate that every time Sata addresses diaspora professionals, he is casting aspersions on the reasons they left Zambia.Â
Robiana was operated on despite the malignant tumour because someone politicised it for political mileage. That is why the police, judiciary, medical personnel etc should all be acting professionally rather than been pushed around by egoistic politicians with two digit IQs.
So poor Lily in still in coma and critical consition at UTH something should be done if need be evacuation to RSA may save her life.Dr. Kaseba please interven
I can’t imagine what would be here on the blog if BY and family were Lozi or Tonga. Maybe Cycle Mata Ukwa CNP is giving a blind eye because he knows that BY and I come from Katanga, DRC. But Mpiki is not far from Katanga, anyway.
Thank you  Pezzy Kudakwashe for that article. Brings home the reality of how our past and current Gov’t think and operate when it comes to health care issues.>>>>
Good article, but some of the comments on it are making my ribs crack with laughter.
>>What this article is highlighting is:Â
Only a “few” are able or “chosen” to get special treatment…….. and to make matters worse and annoy me further, is they go abroad, to get that treatment, while others die in our  hospitals and medical centers >>>
>>So in other words, Â as long as the “few” “in Gov’t”……. Â can have full access to medical health care abroad, Â they’ll continue to sit on their backsides and do nothing to improve the medical health care centres for all Zambians. Sickening!!!!!>>>
Valid sentiments. The decision to evacuate is also based on whether the process of evacuation itself would tip the patient over the edge and just quicken their death. If the patient has (for instance) a fracture of the upper vertebrae or back bone protecting sensitive parts of the spinal cord or brain swelling (oedema) from trauma, there is the danger that the brain could be pushed downwards through the narrow boney opening of the spinal cord and this could lead to death.
The policy is to stabilise the patient first, and when such risks are minimised, evacuation is carried out. I hope this sheds a little light on the process involved. Sometimes the approval to evacuate is already granted, but awaits the attending doctors accessment that the risk of death from evacuation is minimal
>>>How shameful and embarrassing that most Zambians can’t have access to critical and non-critical medical care in our own hospitals.Â
Do we have any ministers or leaders from other countries coming to seek aid in Zambia????? Poor Zambia still stuck with the same old mentality. >>>
>>What range of medical services do we have available for the ordinary man?? You see, when we have those services for the ordinary man then we can say Zambia is growing up, maturing and learning to stand on their own two feet.
Very sad about all those who have died due to lack of high standard medical care services.>>>
One last question?? Do we have ambulances on call for all Zambians to save lives???? What year are we in? When did we gain independence?Â
# 21, on behalf of your farking self, the answer to all you questions can be obtained by visiting Zambia unless you are in Canada illegally and would not be allowed re-entry once you left the country. Why to *****s who spend two seconds abroad start thinking they are better than Zambians in Zambia? Give us a freakin break and make some sensible blog entry if you are capable of such
In Jesus Name, may the almighty God intervene in this and hael the young lady!!!
Very good contributions and well thought analysis by Pezzy. So my brother you are back from USA? Well, the truth is that you cant transfer a patient in a coma more so if its involving road traffic crash. You should be a doctor/surgeon to assess the injuries to determine evacuation of such a patient. There is a lot involved in monitoring such coma patients which could be practically impossible in transit.Consult the doctors as you comment on this issue.
But what about everyone else who is @ UTH. My aunt is battling with cancer @ UTH too. Take everyone to SA then. Let us just improve our standards of hospitals inzambia.
Thank you, someone can finally see whats wrong with our system
I can’t imagine what Kudakwashe is wishing could happen. We are counting death in Sata’s living room: G.Kunda, Robiana, the other one… Let him be because the sata’s tabalwala. Lesa ni malyotola.
By-the-way its reported that Hon. Mundia Sikatana died at UTH today, and Sata was awaiting for that news.
CNP should just improve our local hospitals because there’re multitudes of people who are in dire need of specialist treament. But why can’t Mr Mwila request for his daughter to be evacuated?
sorry to say…BY has money, let his money work for him. do have any how people we have lost as we did not have the political connections..? if you do not have anything to say, go to hell. Let BY have a taste of what we poor Zambians without political connections endure. Let him sale is estates. stupid idot
Dallas cowboy, Walasa ! That’s what to came to mind when I read this article. Can’t BY with all his money afford to evacuate his daughter ?  These people are just used to deeping their hands in public funds. How about the sick people who are sick and nobodys ? The solution is to simply improve health facilities. All the money that has been spent evacuating these people should have built a world class hospital by now. I wish BY’s daughter a quick recovery though
This article is hollow and is only meant to highlight the interests and well-being of the rich and powerful. In other words as far as the writer is concerned the poor who die in hundreds are nothing and not worth thinking about. The article is irritating.
What is it that Zambia is lacking to deliver good quality services? Is it money to buy right equipment for our hospitals? Is it skills that can only be found in other countries? Can the powers that be address these issues to ensure that no zambian should die unncessarily.
Historians, did Kaunda ever evacuate anybody? Otherwise, when did this trend begin? I say, these *****s need to put in more money into the health sector so that nobody has to be evacuated. Only the rich and famous have a chance to be on this ‘special ‘ list. Sata’s budget showed a big figure under health so why ain’t we rolling, for Christ’s sake?
#28 Distant drums – you are only one of the few with a balanced observation. I am actually surprised that the author is getting praises for asking the president to evacuate the duaghter of a former minister on the expense of other 100 deaths a day at UTH. Anyways – did the author ask the former minister whether or not he can afford the evacuation before writing this article? As others have pointed out, maybe evacuating a person in a coma is not even such a good idea in the first place
#28 I totally agree……rubbish stuff LT likes publishing…yaba…what a waste
BY, do something for your child, send her to RSA. Money is not everything. We the poor would sell even the bed we sleep on if it will save the child…why can’t you?? Don’t let that poor girl die!
Please dont insult BY ,am sure he can evacuate his daughter but her condition may be the hindering factor. This situation should make politicians to realise that the answer lies in investing in our health institutions and not rely on evacuation to South African where most come back as cargo anyway
First of all what wrong for advocating for a long term solution which is Fixing and equiping UTH and other underlaying hospitals in main cities. The freaken problem here is misplaced priorities on part of gvt. All we need is inverst in Science and research and trainning medical doctors for different medical fields.
what is so special about BY ‘s children? Many Zambians die in road accidents or from injuries sustained, are we supposed to evacuate everyone to South Africa who is involved in an accident? BY should pay for his family, he is rich!
The thinking of the author of the article is what has lead to a lot of abuse in many areas, for example awarding of scholarships. Most people from rich families are awarded 100 percent scholarships due to their family connections and the poor have to pay from their own pockets, which is wrong. Zambia needs to invest in education and infrastructure, we don’t need to develop the dependence of always looking to South Africa for our medical solutions.
Sadly i lost my sister in law only yesterday after 14 days in a coma at UTH intensive care unit.
No money can save people and those thinking B.Y does not care should be ashamed of themselves.
The body will only recover if it is able too!
Waste of funds to transfer someone in a coma.
I pray that the live of this young lady be saved. In view of this , I would like to say that every Zambian should be entitled to good and proper medication-even evacuation if possible. Not only a few people who happen to be influential in society..no no. Let us also think about the poor Zambians..we are all human before God.
I would not say no to this girl’s evacuation, but how does the writer feel about the young man that recently died of cancer at UTH? Many would be tempted to think that the writer may in a way be related to the Mwilas, and for me this is what discredits all examples given above – the very notion that you have to be part of the ruling class to be evacuated out of Zambia for better medical facilities… Let’s just develop and modernise our own hospitals!!
BY has alot of cash which he made with FTJ during the arms smuggling to Savimbi. Thats why, on another thought he could let his Children go to drink at 3am and spin with a car. In life, discpline is cardinal, Im left wondering what those two chaps were doing on the roads at 3am. That time, is the time when the devil and witches move about, 3am is historical because thats also the time Jesus was arrested, and 3pm is the time he died. So, the moral of all this is to teach our children to minimise on movements when they are drunk. Its very dangerous to evacuate Lily at the moment because any disturbance on that oxygen machine will result in her dying and the Doctors will be to blame. Lets just pray for the young lady, she still has life and Jesus will heal her.
BY had the opportunity to improve health services in Zambia when he was in high offices under his nephew, FTJ. He decided not to do anything about it.
Mr Sata is not doing anything for now……but i am sure even his wife can agree with me that not all illnesses are ‘evacuatable’………..most accidents arent like we have seen for young Mwila.
Lord please help this young country of Zambia.
GOVERNMENT, PLEASE CHECK THE CALIBRE OF YOUR DOCTORS AT UTH. WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO THEY HOLD. UTH NEEDS RE-STORKING. OTHERWISE, ALL ZAMBIAN MUST BE EVACUATED BEFORE IT IS LATE FOR THEM.
Pezzy Kudakwashe, God bless you bro.
I think its not the governments call, I am sure BY has thought about evacuating his daughter using his own funds but maybe the doctors have advised against it. So don’t put the blame on the government every single Zambian lying in UTH wants to survive, why should we just single one out? lets be fair. Get well soon Lilly.