Monday, April 27, 2009

Zambia doesn't need mobile hospitals, says Sata

Zambia doesn't need mobile hospitals, says Sata
Written by Patson Chilemba
Monday, April 27, 2009 3:14:46 PM

ZAMBIA does not need mobile hospitals, Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata said on Monday. Commenting on some donors who have questioned the Zambian government's intention to come up with a mobile hospital for each of the nine provinces in the country to a tune of US$53 million (about K301 billion), Sata said it was sad that President Rupiah Banda's government was every minute strategizing on ways to plunder public coffers.

He charged that corruption was the motivating factor behind government's entering into the deal. Sata said there was no need to have mobile hospitals in the country, saying they were only necessary in war torn countries like Sudan's Darfur region.

"The problem with this government of Rupiah Banda is every minute, they think of plunder. They are thinking of ways to loot public coffers, this government believes in shortcuts. It's leadership sangwapo of saying, what am I going to benefit?" Sata said.

"This country doesn't need mobile hospitals. From that US$ 53 million they can finish Shangombo Hospital. Corruption is the motivating factor behind the deal. Whoever is negotiating, whether it's the new minister [Kapembwa Simbao] or the President, no minister has ever thought of mobile hospitals."

Sata said it was surprising that instead of revamping the health sector which was in tatters, government officials were more pre-occupied with stealing. He said PF would investigate the matter thoroughly and that if President Banda would be found wanting, the party would push for his impeachment.

Sata said if health minister Simbao would be found wanting, PF would file a complaint before the Chief Justice to set up a tribunal to probe the minister. He asked government to suspend its intentions of coming up with a mobile hospital for each of the nine provinces in the country.

"We should be ashamed in Zambia that Mr. Sata and Mr. Chiluba could have died a long time ago if they did not receive treatment in South Africa, but today they are saying mobile hospitals. Any way that is typical of Simbao. He took a bridge and road to his farm when roads are bad in Senga Hill. Even in [Vice-President] George Kunda's village, a mobile hospital won't work," said Sata.

"Where are we going to get the health workers to work in those 'Kapembwa Simbao' hospitals? Doctors were supposed to go on strike on Friday but someone prevailed on them. They wanted improved conditions of service. There is a training programme at UTH [University Teaching Hospital], there are no teachers and that training will be stopped. Instead of putting money in that, Kapembwa Simbao wants to bring mobile hospitals."

Some donors supporting the Ministry of Health in various ways have questioned the Zambian government's intention to come up with a mobile hospitals for each of the nine provinces in the country to a tune of US$53 million.

According to sources within the donor community, the Zambian government is in the process of acquiring a $53 million loan from EX-IM Bank of China to facilitate the acquisition of the mobile hospitals from the Chinese firm called China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC).

The source disclosed that donors held meetings last week in Lusaka to discuss this pending transaction between the Ministry of Health, on behalf of the Zambian government, and CATIC concerning the mobile hospitals.

According to sources, the donors have since written to the Ministry of Health questioning and seeking clarification on the matter.

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posted by MrK @ 2:16 PM

1 Comments:

At 7:59 AM , Anonymous Frank said...

So exactly why are the so called donors opposing the idea of mobile hospitals. Sata should also stop telling lies. Australia, China and Chile are some of the countries that have mobile hospitals. They are not at war as he ignorantly seems to suggest. Mobile hospitals are used in areas where there are no permanent medical facilities and/or where the population is spaced over large areas. Sata should be careful with jumping on band wagons. Western countries have been known for criticising whatever China does. China sees a market in Africa while Europeans see candidates for pity and handouts. That is why China is investing in Africa and the western countries are still stuck with their usual prejudices about the continent.

 

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