FIRST LADY Esther Lungu has expressed sadness that the delayed construction of the maternity wing at Mahatma Gandhi Clinic in Livingstone has been politicised.
The clinic is located in Dambwa Central where United Party for National Development (UPND)’s Likando Liswani is the ward councillor.
Ms Lungu said she would report to President Edgar Lungu over the matter people as the people of Livingstone deserved good health facilities.
The First Lady was speaking in Livingstone yesterday when she toured Mahatma Gandhi Clinic.
Ms Lungu, who also toured Linda Clinic and paid a courtesy call on Senior Chief Mukuni of Kazungula District in Southern Province, is in Livingstone to officiate at today’s national celebrations for the World AIDS Day at Villa Grounds.
Southern province Permanent Secretary Sibanze Simuchoba, Livingstone District Commissioner Omar Munsanje, Livingstone District Medical Officer Cliff Hara, National AIDS/STI/TB Council (NAC) and Livingstone HIV/AIDS Coordination Advisor Stephen Ndebele were some of the officials in Ms Lungu’s entourage.
“I am told the non-completion of maternity wing at Mahatma Gandhi Clinic has been politicised. I will take the message to the President myself.
“Government, through the civil leaders, should endeavour to see to it that the people in Livingstone get good health facilities which they deserve,” she said.
Ms Lungu said the mothers needed to deliver in better health environment and hence it was not correct to play games on people’s lives and the health environment.
“Let us have the heart for humanity and fellow human beings. People at times are neglected and given poor services due to seemingly lack of facilities and yet the resources are there.
“Livingstone area Member of Parliament, Hon Lawrence Evans, note that before you come to State House to bring this issue to the President, I am your DHL massager and I will take the message. It is so painful to see people’s lives being taken lightly and yet we are God’s people,” Ms Lungu said.
She was however happy that the health facility was proving services in all areas of humanity.
At Linda Clinic, Ms Lungu commended the heath personnel in Livingstone for taking care of their patients effectively.
Mr Evans, who is also Livestock and Fisheries Deputy Minister, thanked the First Lady for visiting the tourist capital.
“Mahatma Gandhi Clinic should not be politicised and we need to look at the lives of people. When I come to Lusaka, I will lobby for a bit of money to see to it that this clinic is completed,” he said.
And Dr Hara told Ms Lungu that Livingstone had a total population of 164, 157 people out of which 41, 532 were living with HIV/AIDS.
He said 16, 121 people in Livingstone were on antiretroviral therapy out of which 6, 158 were at Mahatma Gandhi Clinic.
Let them be these Tongas are bad people they think they are clever, they are just pushing their people who cares. Dont give them chance to rule zambia they will divide the country cause their heart are strong like stones.Tonga people are bad.
Mrs Lungu does not explain how this has been politicised. Besides, isn’t she politicking herself by threatening to report this to her husband? Sometimes you really wonder in what capacity she traverses the country doing and saying all sorts at every juncture. I am also flabbergasted that every comment by the opposition is referred to as ‘politicisation’. So what? What is not political? Most issues to do with the provision of services, methodology, sustainability and equity are unavoidably political. What is political for the PF, just by-elections?
Yeah! How has the completion of the ward been politicized? Can one of the councillors shed some light! The singling of the said ward as being…”located in Dambwa Central where United Party for National Development (UPND)’s Likando Liswani is the ward councillor.”… says a lot about Mrs Lungu being an agent of abetting politicking! Who knows that the very fact of being a UPND led ward release of funds is facing PF led challenges? Let someone counter the picture by Mrs Lungu and Evans! On a larger scale we know how CDF gets released……..it favors PF led constituencies over those of the opposition.
I like white Zambian nurses uniform & the white cape too or whatever they call it. I don’t see it her.
Madam, while you are making your comments about “politicisation” your husband is busy telling people in Serenje that PF has built them hospitals and schools!
Please do not treat Zambians as if they are just stu.pid F00LS that cannot think for themselves. Your comments are insulting!