By: Anthony Bwalya – UPND Member
As the spread of the dreaded Coronavirus (#COVID19) intensifies, with all global systems under siege, least developed countries like Zambia, with feebly formed national health systems, face an eminent, monumental catastrophe should this monster of a virus set one foot into our country.
Our national response systems towards disaster are always reactive and often fail to reach the furthest ends of where help may be needed the most. We have seen the chaos around disaster management due to floods, failed rains, energy crisis…and generally how inadequate our response systems have proved to be.
The threat posed by #COVID19 is unprecedented even for the world’s most powerful nations, with some of the world’s iconic cities across parts of Europe literally shut down and streets turned into ghost alleys.
Africa has not been spared, with some of our continent’s major transit points in South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya all known to have active and spiking cases of the virus.
These African nations have moved swiftly and decisively to mitigate the spread of the pandemic, with extensive travel restrictions to and from high-risk destinations now in place; coupled with unprecedented restrictions on basic human activities.
Zambia is one of the most vulnerable countries anywhere on the planet, has put in response measures, but nowhere near adequate.
Earlier today, I visited a local pharmacy, complaining of mild symptoms of the common cold and flu. I was worried because looking at the checklist of symptoms for COVID19, I seemed to have ticked some of the boxes. I haven’t been outside of the country in over 12 months but my interactions with individuals who may have done so are quite frequent.
I was horrified to learn that there is currently no known locally available test facility for us to run to for help. This raised some fundamental questions for me, not just healthcare purposes, but also economywide – because this is one punch we certainly cannot afford to take.
Questions we should be asking about coronavirus readiness in Zambia:
- How many test kits by numbers have we procured and where have they been distributed?
- Has the MoH signed emergency supply agreements for key medical supplies to allow the health authorities to battle an outbreak?
- Have plans been considered for the handling of schools and universities?
- Has GRZ planned for making Hand Sanitiser available in rural areas without access to clean water?
- What tools does the central bank have at it’s disposal to support the economy through a potential economic shock, and when will the governor address the nation about contingency planning or atleast confirm there is planning in place to support the economy as have all global central banks?
- When will the minister of finance address the nation on what fiscal interventions the government is considering should the country be impacted by an economic shock?
- The Vice President, Mama Inonge Wina, has already advised that the coronavirus is causing the Kwacha to depreciate. How will GRZ support small businesses and individuals through a potential disruption? What fiscal reliefs will be provided?
Zambia cannot afford to take a casual approach to this pandemic.
It has disrupted formidable global systems, it would probably wipe out ours altogether.
Please read reports even from people you don’t like. Ministry of health announced that UTH viral department and Levy Mwanawasa are the two test centers.
What a wanker! You are writing an article on covid 19 and you identify yourself as a UPND member. What has covid 19 got to do with upnd? Write and be critical as an expert, give us your credentials you a&se hole! Or eff off!
We don’t have the virus here yet. Be thankful you silly cow. Learn to appreciate rather than always politicking.
Styupid question, of course no one on PF government it a damn!!
Iwe Lab Assistant from Chelston clinic, are you twats waiting for it to come?!? You guys have no resources because you harvested everything from mwibala?!? You cannot even contain cholera every rain season! This is the time for you pweles to show that you really care. If developed countries are on their knees, heaven help us if it comes to sh1thole Zambia! You should know, KZ, that prevention is better than cure! Or should we begin to doubt that you bought the Lab Assistant diploma?
Since the western world is superior to you go there. We don’t have it here..clearly we are doing something right. We have been issuing daily updates and effecting measures at all key locations like airports to prevent this virus. That is why it is not here. Even with Europe in a disaster they still won’t let you in. That is how much they think of you. They would rather die alone than allow you into their society. Even for those already there they don’t consider you equals. Think hard about that.
@KZ. I do not want to live in Europe, I want to live in my motherland which you pweles and your likes have destroyed. What measures have you put in?
You do not have any measures in place that is why you have no data. You are telling people to go to a hospital if they suspect they have the virus?!? It is highly infectious – other patients at all hospitals will be compromised. One medical center/hospital in each region should be dedicated to the virus.
You are in a position of power as you keep showing off on this platform. SHOW US YOU CAN DO IT!
This Anthony guy must be a very good example of a joker,he goes to a pharmacy in a compound to ask for a test kit and concludes that there are no test kits in Zambia,baba if you have any symptoms go to the hospital,thats the professional advice circulating,don’t sensationalize issues anyhow,anyway you are truly UPND
Anthony Bwalya why do you always identify yourself with a Political Party….Why is everything PF this,UPND that,NDC this MMD that….why cant we all just get along and try to solve problems as humans with no Political Party affiliation
*****
IDIOOOT
Anthony is a bit sick..I stopped reading his articles
Anthony This virus is not a joke. Am in one of the few places that not one case has been recorded in Australia but with expert advice that a transmitter doesn’t show any symptom whilst he is transmitting meaning it will come or be detected. So don’t play and politic but spread best meaningful preventive measurers that disadvantaged people can use and those with facilities.
Off course countries are spending billions which we don’t have so its such a bonus, Such a bonus I repeat. please read more about this and its about everyone doing there part. We may all loose our old folks ( uncles, Aunties, Grand parents in 90 plus years old) who are at a critical death percentage so your post is really dumb.
Am pissed off with your backward thinking
Thanks
In the SADC , Zambia was the 2nd country to acquire equipment to test for covid-19. 1st was SA. We’re prepared and we’re conducting tests at ports of entry.
Mr fuu just joining UPND he stopped thinking like the son of Mr Bwalya.