Vice President Rupiah Banda says President Levy Mwanawasa’s condition has remained stable in hospital in France were he was evacuated from Egypt in the early hours of today.
In a statement to ZANIS in Lusaka today, Mr. Banda said President Mwanawasa is receiving treatment for hypertension in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Percy Military Hospital in the French capital Paris.
First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa and family members are at the President’s bed side.
The Vice President said the nation shall be kept informed on the president’s condition regularly.
President Mwanawasa was this morning evacuated from Sharm El Sheikh hospital in Egypt to France aboard an SOS international air ambulance.
He arrived at the hospital at 02: 50 hours Zambian time.
Mr. Banda said the President was accompanied by two physicians , his personal physician and an air ambulance physician.
Zambian from all walks of life has sent messages of goodwill wishing the president a quick recovery.
Christians and the public at large today attended a prayer meeting at Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka to pray for president Mwanawasa’s quick recovery.
The prayer meeting was attended by Vice President Rupiah Banda , second republican president Frederick Chiluba and his wife Regina, Cabinet Ministers and their deputies and several senior government and MMD leaders .
Speaking during the interdenominational prayer service Bread of Life Bishop Joe Imakando urged Zambians to put their faith in God as he alone is the healer saying nothing is impossible with God.
Bishop Imakando who read from 2nd Kings 20: 1-5 said Zambia, Africa and the world needs President Mwanawasa hence the holding of the prayer service for the quick recovery of the President.
And Mr. Banda told congregants that Dr. Mwanawasa was evacuated to France from Egypt were he was admitted to Sharma-El-Sheikh Hospital after suffering a stroke in that country.
Mr. Banda called on all Zambians to continue praying for the good health of the Head of State.
Dr. Mwanawasa who travelled to Egypt to attend the 11th Africa Union Heads of State and Government summit suffered a stroke and was admitted to Sharma-El-Sheikh international hospital before he was evacuated to France in the early hours of this morning.
Heritage party president Godfrey Miyanda, FDD President Edith Nawakwi, All people’s congress party president Kenny Ngondo and former vice president Enock Kavindele were also in attendance during the service which lasted for over an hour.
Others present were Deputy speaker of the national assembly Mutale Nalumango, Service Chiefs and members of President Mwanawasa’s family.
Meanwhile his Royal Highness the Litunga Lubosi Imwiko the II , the Kuta and the entire people of Barotseland are saddened by President Levy Mwanawasa’s illness whilst on National duty.
This is according to a press statement signed by the acting Ngambela Mr. Imasiku Lyamunga and made available to ZANIS today.
Mr. Lyamunga said the Litunga and the Barostse Royal Establishment has wished the president God’s divine blessings m, his speedy recovery and quick return home to continue with his leadership of guiding the nation towards economic, social growth and prosperity.
ZANIS/BK/MK/ENDS