=========== Michael Sata’s Letter======
03rd January 2011
His Excellency Mr Rupiah B Banda
President of the Republic of Zambia
State of House
Independence Avenue
Lusaka
Dear Sir,
RE: DR CHRISTINE KASEBA’S TREATMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA
We returned home from South Africa on Friday 31″ December 2010 after my wife’s medical review on 30th December 2010.
My wife and I would like to take this opportunity to express our profound gratitude to you Your Excellency and the Government including the staff at the Zambian High Commission in South Africa for the consideration, compassion and care extended to my wife during the period of her illness and stay at Milpark Hospital. I am indeed pleased to see that my wife’s life was saved due to the government’s prompt action to evacuate her.
However, I would like to re-state my long held view about access to specialist treatment abroad. I said it after my return from South Africa in April 2008 following my heart condition that our Government must invest in this area both in terms of human capital and equipment so that access to such specialist treatment does not continue to be a preserve of the privileged few in our country.
It is, therefore, my considered view Your Excellency that health care must become a human right by law for our people and not a privilege after 46 years of independence.
Your Excellency, as we enter 2011 which is the year of our presidential and general elections we all must commit ourselves to creating an environment of social justice, peace and reconciliation in order to facilitate a free and fair election process.
As Head of State and Government, I implore you to assure our people that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) and other related government institutions shall not be allowed to pay lip-service to the principles of democracy and transparency but shall endeavour to win the confidence of all stakeholders and other participants in the 2011 presidential and general elections.
In this respect I wish to bring to your attention the following areas of concern going by the experience of the past elections:
(i) the delay in the printing and verification of the voters’ roll by the ECZ,
(ii) the lack of transparency in the process related to the printing of ballot papers, the tender process and the award thereof,
(iii) the use of suspicious Government institutions or agencies in the transportation of ballot papers to and from some constituencies or districts,
(iv) the lack of constant flow of information from the ECZ to the stakeholders or lack of consultation on issues of common interest,
(v) the short notice given by ECZ for meetings on some crucial matters which require consensus with stakeholders,
(vi) the SECRECY surrounding the announcement of the election date with the intention of catching political parties and other stakeholders unawares,
(vii) the unexplained delay or withholding of results from some constituencies by the ECZ during the process of the announcement of results and,
(viii) the complete disregard of the electoral code of conduct by Government officers and ministers during the elections.
It is my hope and prayer that your Government shall cultivate the spirit and environment in the nation of a democratic and free and fair elections. I wish you and your family God’s blessings.
Yours faithfully,
C. Sata PARTY PRESIDENT
============Rupiah Banda’s Response=====
SECRET 14th January,2011
Mr. Michael Sata
President Patriotic Front
P. O. Box 33965
LUSAKA
Dear Mr. Sata,
DR. CHRISTINE KASEBA’S TREATMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA
I acknowledge, with thanks, your letter dated 3rd January, 2011.
I am grateful for the words of profound gratitude that you expressed in your letter. It is my belief that the good values of humanity should rise above political belief and persuasion when we are faced with matters of human life.
I have noted that you have raised the issue of the state of our health care system in Zambia. In the first place, I must say I have found it rather disappointing that you have decided to mix the issue of gratitude and the shortfalls of our health care system in Zambia.
In my view the issue surrounding the evacuation of your wife to South Africa was an emergency which should ordinarily not be confused with the issue of the poor state of our health system in Zambia.
In my entire political career, I have not had the privilege which you had of serving as Minister of Health. The question is what did you and many others that have held that portfolio done to improve health care provision in Zambia? My record of what I have done and what I will continue to do for the improvement of healthcare in Zambia is there for every objective citizen of Zambia to see and appreciate.
Let me assure you that as long as I continue to have the mandate of the Zambian people, I shall continue to improve on the successes that I have achieved in this short period that I have been in office.
I have noted the various issues that you have raised regarding this year’s presidential and general elections. All the eight issues that you have raised are matters that fall under the exclusive mandate and jurisdiction of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ). The ECZ is an independent body created by the Constitution and regulated by the provisions of the Electoral Act, Chapter 13 of the Laws of Zambia and the respective regulations made there under.
I therefore exercise no control on the operations of the ECZ, as such I cannot comment on the issues that you have raised. However, I would implore you to take up the matters with the Chairperson of the ECZ as they are the correct constitutional body that is charged with the responsibility of dealing with electoral matters.
Yours sincerely,
Rupiah Bwezani Banda
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA
c. c. His Honour Mr. George Kunda, SC, MP
Vice-President of the Republic of Zambia and Minister of Justice
Cabinet Office
LUSAKA
c. c. Dr. Joshua L. Kanganja Secretary to the Cabinet Cabinet Office
LUSAKA
c. c. Honourable Madam Justice F. N. Mumba Chairperson
Electoral Commission of Zambia
LUSAKA
c. c. Dr. Peter Mwaba Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health LUSAKA
Why did RB cc many pipo? it looks like we zambians dont like sensible criticism. Sata had points and the only thing RB would have done was to acknowledge receiving the letter. I am looking foward to a day we will politically mature. We dont need cheap politics.
That’s the beauty about written correspondence, it vindicates.
These two guys are old and need to retire really, exchanging letters in public like school going kids.
I also find it strange that RB can title the letter SECRET and then CC it to so many people. Ya ya school boys breaking secrets, ha ha ha .. and LT who leaked this letters to you. We need to know?
# 2 #3 go back home you the pipo in the diaspora:d:d:d lol
Some people who thronged the airport to catch a glimpse of President Banda were seen raising the PF symbol at the motorcade.
# 3 Papa J
RB’s letter has been released in response to mmembe’s toilet tissue publishing sata’s letter on saturday 15th.Its amazing how this senile serpent can take advantage of his eighth wife’s illness to advance his political agenda.
I don’t see anything wrong with what Sata stated. If i could re-echo what one blogger asked… ”what is wrong with what sata stated in his letter to ruppiah?”. shall we learn to take positive criticism with an open mind please….
@VJ be objective theres nothing wrong with Sata letter. imagaine @Chumachiyenda not having the priviledge of being flown to SA? Health centres should be improved and it should be a human right. Those that have money are crowding CFB and Hilltop using the same Drs who are supposed to be manning UTH. Hospitals in Zambia are a sorry sight.
Nice letter and vocabulary from mr Sata, thats exellent. Mr Banda sir, a vote of thanks is comprised of gratitude and the challenges of which the speaker/writer request for action, so mr Sata’s letter is perfect (I’m not a PF cadre).
But I agree with #3. The two old/retired folks shud rest, coz they’re not inspiring. Zambia can do better!
No. 1 Chikumbutso and No. 2 Papa J, I totally agree with you and it is the first thing I saw “secret”!!!! What secrecy! RB has released state secrets contrary to the constitution! And the poor wrote a letter to implore RB to improve the access of specialist treatment and he is told why didn’t you improve the Ministry of Health- when we all know what Sata did during his tenure as Minister! The 2 guys were both Lusaka Governor and the record is there! Head to head I know that Sata will know out the older guy!
Poor communication skills! How do you put the subject as: Dr. Kaseba`s Treatment, when 95% of the contents have nothing to do with title. These old guys have tired brains let them just retire.
No 10 MB a sensible person wont politicise Satas letter. We saw what he did when he was in charge of Health and how often he used to visit the hospitals. It changed pipos way of working for fear that, the Minister will visit them. I am non partisan but i give credit where its due.
I think RB has started to make a lot of sense. If he continues like this, I will be happy to support him in 2011 morally.
sata is so ungrateful and forgets he was once minister of health and did nothing apart from openning a private pharmacy within UTH. We have lusaka general hospital which has neared completion. hospitals are better off now under RB than when sata was minister of health. we now have cancer hosp, ct scan, MRI, fully operational renal unit, chawama, mutendere clinics are hospitals yet when sata was minister the trend was cholera outbreaks. we have hospitals in all districts now at our doorsteps saving our villagers from covering long distances to seek medical aid.
Nothing wrong with Sata’s letter and i agree with u #9, excellent vocabulary (beats my expected of MCS) to me this is a feeling of a man who dares to think of others even when it is fit to only think about himself. He takes the opportunity to share with those less fortunate than him and becomes their mouth peace. Remember he said this even after LPM evacuated him to SA. I think HERB should have acted more statesmanlike and objectively to the issues raised. MCS is not my favorite guy but i think the old guy is got a point.
But What was wrong with SATA’s letter.That the problem when you want everyone to be a bootlicker and to worship you.I dint see anything sinister about SATA’s letter to be frank.Lets be level headed please.
Bravo sata, I give you a distinction. Herb should be ashamed of his accusation of sata, because we know among the few excellent ministers in zambian healthy, sata is among the best 3. RB it is not always a point when thanking someone to restrict oneself only to that help. sata has an open mind than you, that is to feel for the poor, thus thank him; he is better than you and you will never beat him over that.
These two guys RB & Sata almost behaved maturely,thanking one & also taking advantage to forward some of the concerns as a country we need to improve.But the problem comes in from RB’s response a bit harsh.But guys believe me Sata personally wrote the letter whilst the wordings in RB’s response are not his.That dickson Jere so u find that bootliking takes centre stage in trying to defend RB yet losing maturity.Some of these mistakes are as a result of poor advisors,spokes persons who think they should always support their boses at the expense of objectivity and principle.RB’s letter copied to many to ensure that those mentioned depts can take appropriate action,good thing.SECRET out to the public a bit strange too much political brains pa Z.
And the circus goes on.
If at all RB was wise, he could have just acknowledged receipt of the letter and wished Sata well, period!! than begin Defence even where it was uncalled for, in the end he looks fo.o.lish!!!
Zambia’s data-driven healthcare initiative
In order to deal with a chronic lack of healthcare workers, especially in rural areas, the Zambian government undertook an ambitious survey to ensure resources were properly targeted.
This case study forms part of a selection of entries for the first ever Global Health Workforce Alliance awards, created to highlight successes in addressing health workforce issues. The awards will be presented at the Second Global Forum on Human Resources for Health, which takes place on 25-29 January in Bangkok
But we have FOOLS in zed kwena. This rubbish is happening at the highest level of the executive. yaya yaya. Buuuuuti,,,,,
One of the main reasons Zambia is falling behind in attaining the UN’s health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is the lack of health workers, especially in rural areas.
Maternal mortality and infant mortality rates, for example, are way off target and this is hardly surprising, with such acute health worker shortages. There is currently one doctor for every 15,500 people and one midwife for every 5,200 people. The average vacancy rate is 61% among public sector doctors, nurses, clinical officers and midwives.
In order to deal with this crisis, the Zambian Ministry of Health took on board the lessons coming out of the first Global Forum on Human Resources for Health in Kampala, Uganda, in 2008. This included the need to improve data management in order to direct health funding where it is most needed.
Staff carried out surveys all over Zambia to find out the health services in greatest demand relative to the staffing levels. They then categorised districts in critical, substantial or moderate need and detailed the existing and optimum number of health workers needed and for which specialities.
All of this information was then communicated to the Ministry of Health in order to direct resources. The government then formalised a recruitment process, prioritising the areas of greatest need.
The most critical district, Chilubi, in the northern province, had only nine primary health workers for a population of more than 66,000 people. There was a clinical officer, a midwife and seven nurses, but no doctor, pharmacist or laboratory technologist. The health worker vacancy rate in the district was 91%. To reach the optimum number of staff in the region, more than 10 times the existing number would have to be recruited.
RB is very defensive and does not want to take responsibility. He knows very well that ECZ is directly under his control and those people working there are appointed by him. They only do what the President wants. Even if Sata raise a lot of valuable points ECZ will not take any action. What he should have said is that he has received the letter and will communicate to ECZ his concerns. He can not say ECZ is independent, it is not. There is no independent government organisation, it does not work like that. RB is a President but he is saying he has not been in a privileged to be minister of health, who is more senior between the two? The minister of health as it works in Zambia implements the president’s projects, he/she never initiate anything that the president can not approve.
As of January 2011, there is a doctor, five clinical officers, three midwives, nine nurses, a pharmacist and a laboratory technologist. Dr Sume Chisha, the new doctor in Chilubi, says: “We can now manage emergency surgical and obstetric cases, such as caesarean sections, ectopic pregnancies and strangulated hernias and we have been able to save people’s lives. In the past, people had to travel for over an hour by boat to receive emergency surgery.”
Chisha says that while people have better-quality healthcare in rural areas, with more trained staff, there are still two health centres that are being run by unqualified health workers. There are enormous challenges to address the health worker crisis in Zambia, but at least the Ministry of Health has clear information on where the needs…
I remember in grade 2 mathermatics we leant about like and unlike terms. e.g u cant compare X to Y because they are unlike terms. Similary, u cant compare a minister (of health) to a president. even comon sense has it that the two are diferent ofices. And besides, these are cheap politics mwe bantu, why not outline what u intend to do? These guys really need a break, kwati twaice? so fishinka filya balanda ati abakalamba nga bakota batontonkanya ngo twaice.
We want to know what is in the pf manifesto regarding healthcare in the country. We must also be told how that healthcare will be paid for and sustained. Is it not Mr Sata who introduced fee paying when health minister? I distinctly remember him saying that if villagers did not have cash, they could pay with a sack of cassava.
RB word on!!! funso!! what did u do when u help the portifolio as minister of health!!??
I agree with #20. A wise president would not have responded in that manner, a citizen is thanking the presido and brining to his attention factual problems we face. 46 years on no war or ethnic fighting but we still can’t afford to have hospitals with state of the art equipment. Peace! what peacedo we have in Zambia. Majority of the population have no running clean water, no proper sanitary systems, drainge and the list goes on. This chap RB then question what Sata did at MoH, remember this was in the MMD Gov which has lamentably failed our country.
Sata is right when he says specialist treatment abroad is reserved for privileged few. Most of the bloggers would just be allowed to die on their own if they developed heart problem while politician and their families are flown out of the country. That is the point he has always been talking about about and RB has decided to blank that point off. Let him handle the presidential mantle and he will see what his fellow old politician has been dreaming about. Specialist treatment for all, not politicians alone.
I think MMD should own up for the shortfalls over the last 20years and not say “it was not me who was in power then”. We heard the same from Simbao who was congratulating himself for buying uniforms for nurses which had not been done in the past 20 years!
It really baffles me – what is the idea behind HE ‘s copying to all those people? is it necessary ? wrong advisors in Plot 1
Sata could have been Health Minister so what? At the time he was in good health. Only after suffering a heart attach did he realise what was missing in Zambian hospitals. The fact that he raised the issue merits him some credit. Then again, it only seems he learns after suffering.
RB should learn to give others the benefit of a doubt. It would have not hurt to be a little diplomatic or respond that he’ll see what he can do about the situation. He could’ve even used this to his advantage by mentioning that a new hospital in Lusaka is under contruction and ask Sata to be patient to see what the new hospital has in stock. One of the two should have been the bigger brother. This fighting sickens me.
What next? Is that all they’ve got? Zambia remains without a specialist medical…
Sata wrote the Head of state for limited circulation but then wittingly leaked the same to a tabloid for PR sake to malign RB. What RB has done is the most effective counter measure to expose Sata as an amoral thug. The CC made to heads of Government are not only appropriate but standard executive communication protocol. Dr. Kaseba’s evacuation involved Ministry of Health hence CC to Dr.Mwaba, it was GRZ expenditure hence CC Dr. Kanganji head of Cabinet office and VP Kunda being the Minister of Justice while Justice Mumba was CCed in her capacity as ECZ Chair Sata brought out issues on. Had Sata been wise, he should have only thanked GRZ without mixing a thank you note with constitutional and electoral matters beyond executive jurisdiction. Politics has its own windows and space.
Mwebeni onfwe,
You won’t understand the essence of those institutional CCs because you are yet to learn communication in Public Administration involving public resources.
Spot on RB. This SATA is so ungrateful. remember what he said about Mwanawasa when he himself was evacuated to SA for his heart problems. if I were RB I would not have extended the gesture this time around.Anyway, there is always next time!
If at all as Zambians we are objective we should just take Sata as one of those…
RB may have his hsortcomings – TRUE! But we can all see what he is doing – Infrastructure development in all sectors and areas. This is best when you have high copper prices. What will remain is operations only…we can be done from domestic revenue.
Ther is so many things governing the response from RB. But he has been quite nice and polite to Mr. Sata. Of all the presidents Zed has had, he is the most calm and polite. Had it been the others we would have had pelete of words and possible threats. Sata kicked out his friends in Kabwe in 2000 thinking he would be the next president. He has never been cornered on that issue – wonder hwta he would say about himself on that – Democratic
Kwena chisatana iwe you really made,just say thank you period why start attacking?Satana for your info you plunderer,the cost of having a cathlab,and all the support staff to treat your failing hearts is so huge compared to the number of patients requiring this highly specialized treatment.
Like#14 Lady Gaga has told you above,health centres,hospitals and clinic are been built throughout the country to treat the common problems our population face.Since you are a very rich man and your 8th wife is a doctor plus your GBM why don’t you invest in a heart hospital?That Milpark Hospital you went to is a private hospital and.how i wish you went to Johannesburg General Hospital you going to prefer our UTH and would have never gone back to South Africa ever again.
#18 The Terminator
I dont think Sata wrote that letter.Gay Scott must have written it.The english is too refined to come out of the foul mouth of ba Cobra.Not even Kabimba, a Lawyer who has never tasted court victory,can write such english.
The worst part in all of this is Mr. Sata used his wife’s illness to gain political mileage. How cheap and low can Mr. Sata go. I would have let the letter thing slide had Mr. Sata not have it published in the PF vuvuzela but Mr. Sata seeking to gain political mileage had it published in his vuvuzela. Shocking and yet disturbing at how desperate Mr. Sata can go.
Secondly, Mr. Sata has been in govt before and therefore is well versed with the Electoral Act, Chapter 13 of the Laws of Zambia. This is not PF were Mr. Sata as president makes all the decisions from top to bottom. Govt has got structures in accordance with the constitution. It makes you worry as to whether Mr. Sata wont interfere with the ECZ should the impossibility happen that he becomes president.
#Senior Citizen, your mediocrity on failing to make a difference between personal letter and public on different matters makes you think you are a senior citizen on any issue. Learn to learn to accept that you Herb has got it wrongly just like you. the point is that Sata appreciated the Herb government help that was rendered to his wife and wished it was extended to all citizens and not only to senior citizens as you think. learn to learn to call a bare fact without political party sentimental ideas which are shallow and empty at times. Any politician has his good points and weaknesses otherwise is not human. Just say sata was right and Herb got it wrongly on this matter.:-?:-?:-?
im not a politician but surely Zamabia is far away in terms of hospial facilities.Lady gaga please be objective,I have never heard or seen any foreiner being flown into zambia for medical attention not even to mention our traditional doctors.it only Zambians who are always flown out even on simple headache.
Dont just support blindly.The only foreiners you will see in Zambia are those who come to steal our copper,gold and emalralds and become rich over night .wakeup lady gaga and be real.
Do i need to be a politician to access even a simple panado in the hospitals.Lady gaga are you staying in Zambia or what. I advise that just take a day off and visit these places and get first hand information.Im one of the people who are preveledged and i have a medical scheme with my company where …
get first class medical attention as per Zambia standards together with members of my family (children and wife). But i had a chance of taking my nephew last week to one of the famous govermenet hospitals.Nurses welcomed us very well despite so may people they were attending to but all was not well .they found my nephew with malaria and prescribed Coetum for him and some pain keelers just to be told to go and source for them at a chemist.Surely simple malaria and panado .I became to disturbed to the extent that i thougt i did not hear properly so i went to consult one of my old friends ,a doctor at certain hospital if at all what they prescribed for my nephew was a simple panado and coetum and he agreed .Lady Gaga and the likes of you are draging this country behind. Just because ………
you can afford private clinics does not everyone can.Im realy sorry for you to be commenting on every topic you know very litlle about.
Learn to do even a sipmle reserch before you comment.I have been to 36 countries both in Afriaca ,europe ,Asia,and America and i have never seen such a rundown health institution such as Zambia where even a panado can ot be aceesed in a goverment Hospital.
Angola just came out war recently and panado and malaria drugs are never short in hospitals.DRC is still in war but they have drugs.Botswana has only a population of about 2milion people with most of the medical personel imported but medicines are always there.Whats wrong with Zmabia.
So much money is allocated to health but where does it go.Im not a supporter of any political party but i……
support a right course.Whether MMD ,PF,HH,or whosver is doing a right course he need our support and defenately MMD have no priorities of the majority Zambians.They are job seekres are have seen a polical situation in zambia as for making quick bucks.
Lady Gaga im wondering if you even know that Zambia Produces one of the finest Gold in the world.But do you know how many Zambians are benefiting form that
Complain about this comment
#40 YAYA YOU HAVE HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD. mILPARK IS PRIVATE HOSP WHICH EMPLOYS ZAMBIAN DOCTORS. IN ZAMBIA ITS ONLY SATA AND HIS WIFE WHO SUFFER FROM HEART PROBLEMS SO SHOULD WE BUILD A HOSP FOR THESE TWO ONLY. LET GBM BUILD ONE SINCE HE BRAGS OF HAVING A LOT OF CASH YET HE IS JUST A POOR FELLOW WHO FAILS TO PAY ELEVEN MILLION DEBT. IN ZAMBIA WE HAVE HOSPITALS WHICH TAKE CARE OF OUR DISEASE PATTERN LIKE MALARIA, NOT MATENDA YABA ZUNGU YAKU MUTIMA
#42 only fool who can think that the ECZ is not controlled by the government. Am sorry to say that there is a big difference to a law or norm written and to obey it. In zambia as for now many of the laws are written but are not obeyed, one of them is just the shooting in mongu. so if you can not see this difference then you are just capitalising on you ignorance of reflection.
#41: u could be right. I’m sure u’ve noticed a sharp contrast btn Sata’s (or whoever wrote) rich vocabulary and the one coming from state house (very poor vocabulary and reasoning).
RB says: “In my entire political career, I have not had the privilege which you had of serving as Minister of Health. The question is what did you and many others that have held that portfolio done to improve health care provision in Zambia? ”
Perhaps he needs to ask Kapembwa Simbao that question as well. Just to balance the argument, you see.
#37 AND #38 Shame on you 2 Racketeers. How come even a once loyal as dog to RB Kaingu has done a Judas Iscariot on his master?
Chilufya Sata; seeing that you’re a functional illiterate, whoever wrote that letter for you needs to have their head examined. You’ve mixed up three unrelated issues in your letter. Gratitude for your wife’s evacuation is one thing but it’s cheeky of you to pretend to be philosophical about our local health facilities. What did you achieve as Min of Health in kafupi’s Govt? Infact, this nonsense of medical tourism started during the fist MMD Govt of which you were a senior minister. You flew out your ailing family and friends (most them HIV/Aids patients) to Milpark and Morningside on the taxpayer’s tab. You’re alive today and probably your wife as well because of Levy and RB’s goodwill. Why not just say thanks and leave it at that?
If ECZ were in control they would also be able to tell us the Date of the Election—-a as No 49 has told can believe what RB is telling us. RB is fighting for his polical life. I bet he is regreting having accepted the appointment by LPM.
I have never supported Sata but on this one its thumbs up for the old man. Atleast even when the opportunity for him to be self-centred presented itself, he thought of a poor Zambian who can’t be flown to SA. Unfortunately all that Banda sees in that is a challenge, what a tragedy. Does it mean because Sata did not do anything to improve the health sector in Zambia then he also should sit idle. I am sorry to say that, this so called President sounds so petty and s.t.u.pid in his letter.
Indeed there was nothing wrong with what Mr Sata wrote. What was wrong, was sending a copy of his letter to the President, to The Post newspaper making the whole issue a cheap campaign gimmick. Typical of Mr Sata; Always trying to make political capital out of solemn or tragic situations. As for RB he should not have diginified this cheap propaganda by replying to Mr. Sata’s letter.
Last time you suffered a heart attack, your muzungu chola boy had the nerve to say that you’d refund the State for your medical expenses! Funny enough, Dr Kaseba was quick to refute this claim. I’ll agree that our healthcare system leaves much to be desired but I’ve read on LT about the new hospitals currently being built, upgrading of clinics as well as new equipment for UTH. Surely, that’s more than you ever did during your 10yrs in power? Your opportunism is disgusting to say the least. You try to make political mileage out of everything including funerals (eg Chibombamilimo). Next time, you or your wife suffer a heart attack, GRZ should advise you to go to CFB private clinic in Lsk and there should be no talk of evacuation.
Sata introduced medical fee’s in Zambia and claims to have money why dose he keep taking these evacuations paid for by us the tax payer. My aunt had a heart attack died before even a nurse could attend to her at UTH only because we are unknown or what if its dying let’s all die at UTH till we get things right. Sata is a hypocrite why say this and take the treatment. Honourable and principled people like late Elijah Mudenda refused to be evacuated to South Africa on the account that the common man had no similar access.
Most of the Zambians whose blogs have read need Vitamins for their brains! How can one not ‘see’ anything wrong in Mr Sata’s letter (edited by Guy Scott)? Yeeeee! I fear for Zambia if people have analytical skills of a toad! Sata has been part of Government for a long time! He knows what are the powers of the President but cheaply, he publishes a letter which he wants to use to ingratiate himself with the public, who don’t know the limitations of the President. That is crass!
Whats wrong with Sata’s letter. If you MMD caders dont think Sata is speaking on your behalf keep quiet. As far as I am comcerned he is speaking for many citizens who have no access to your RB. Why didnt RB just say when he thinks such facilities could be delivered at the door step of the poor and what he thinks is hindering such. As far as I am concerned its RB who is being extremely childish here!
#53
Big Pipe – Sta’s intellect far surpasses you mwana.
#57 make a diffence between maning a hospital well and contructing it? you can construct a hospital and it remains a white elephant like UTH. what is important is the services that are provided in any hospital dispite of its color, size or shape. learn this logic; to attack the argument not the person lol.
Everyone knows the date of elections. The constitution states clearly that the Presdential term is no greater than 5 years. So who does not know that? The parliament will be dissolved and elections must be held within 90 days! Who does not know that? Until this year, in UK only the Prime Minister knew the date of elections and it could be any day in 4 years!
All of Guys you lack Isikululu!
Lady Gaga #14; I agree 100%!
I have had the privilege to go through both MCS and RBB‘s correspondence and must say that I am surely left with a very bitter test in my mouth over the president‘s response. This man is luck of a better team ‘’very dull ‘’ and he is sitting in that office us our president. Zambian, it is time for a revolution! I am therefore calling on all the Youths in this country of ours to stand up and vote RBB out of government. To be freak, I haven’t seen the much talked about development that this self-proclaimed developer has brought to this country in the so called sort time he has been in office. I would also like to take this opportunity to challenge the President to mention even one project which he and his bootlicker’s ministers have initiated or implemented ever since coming to office. I…
Sata will do anything to score points. Why havent we heard anything from his minister of health designate. Why dosent he refund the money used to treat him and his wife to UTH instead of buying cars for genocidal renegade prists. If he cared so much about our healthcare, there are so many avenues he can voice his concern. He is every day in the media. Not once has he said anything about our hospitals. That was but a cheap shot sata, having your letter printed in the PF kaponya labour manual. We have never heard you once mention our health care in that same post paper or for that matter any other part of Zambias development.
what i can say is that may be sata was disappointed that his wife’s life was saved! he would have loved it if she died so that he can marry bishop fimofimo’s sister and get increased support from the church his ‘mulamu’ leads!
Sata is right our health system has collapsed, Staff Shortages, lack of Drugs and poor medical equipment and infrastructure; the few medical staff who available are poorly paid. Politicians fail to appreciate advice; let our President go to the streets of Lusaka and ask people this question. How long does it take to be seen by a health worker at the clinic when you are sick? Are satisfied by the reception you are accorded and treatment there after? Mostly it’s 4 to 6 Hours on the queue. Let him do that assessment he does not need a research.
#66 Are you sure you have eye sight? the beauty about civil projects is that they are there for all to see! even the PF vuvuzela’s m’membe (by the way that name means house fly in some Zambian languages) has seen them thats why these days his coverage is getting a bit moderate. he knows he can’t ignore what he is seeing. granted not all is well but progress is being made and if you can’t see that go get your eye sight checked at one of the hospitals equiped by MMD!
One funny thing i have noticed about us Zambians is that we are very good to condemn someone or something but we lack the courage to do something about our problems which I believe make us crowds! If RBB is so good as ZNBC has pictured him, then why is much of the Country hungry and yet more they say we had a bumper harvest last year? I salute the youth in Tunisia for the stance they took to kick out Ben Ali. So in short, I am saying that we should be more action oriented than speaking and not doing anything about it….. I am for the removal of RBB and the Mwadia Mweka Daddy (MMD) from governing this our GOD given Country Zambia for we shall never have any country like this no matter where or which country we move to in the word! GOD BLESS ZAMBIA!!!!!
#70 you need to differetiate b/n building a hosipital and delivery of quality health services that meet people’s expectations…….
The point everyone wants to raise is that IT IS HIGH TIME WE INVESTED IN THE EQUIPMENT,STAFF THAT CAN DELIVER THOSE SERVICES FOUND IN SA and others so that all can benefit esp the masters which is you and me and not the servants alone.
this habit of sending a few select individuals is not OK. it must stop. The needs of the masters should be put first before that of a few individuals so called servants!!!!!!
@14.Lady Gaga, You are imature and if am not mistaken was born after 1998. Aside from that, i cant Imagine RB saying he has never been availed with such services as going to SA for medical attention. He forgets that recently last year he went for the so called medical check up for hus leg!! Mwe bantu!! Sata is just being right. There is no need of Sata praising RB all the way because he made a decision to take his wife for attention on the biased medical scheme. I must say that RB’s idea was to silence and win Sata’s attention and eventually keep him quiet. Well, you cannot bring down a good man(pardon me,thats my opinion Sata compared with RB). Its a pity when Sata thought he would bring issues to RB’s attention at a time when there could have been dialogue, RB thought about power…
MMD Chief Bootlicker @68. My bro! you luck humanity within yourself. Albeit, you can mention an idea. Do you go to church? May God save your soul!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#71—– Agreed…we are docile. we let these crooks and many chaps in other ministries getting away with immesuarable offences under the name of peace.
We need economic peace.political peace we have achieved now it is time to for a paradigm shift in the way we do things in this country….we need the wind of change, change of Govts, for effective management..change of attittude of many Zambians who are now used to the status quo…..we can not go own like this….we need to transform our mindset and beging to unit like the Tunisians, Agentina.
iF WE WANT 51+ WE CAN GET IT, IF WE WANT SOCIO RIGHT WE CAN GET but without unity we can not…WAKE UP ZAMBIANS,, FIGHT FOR WHAT IS YOURS……the time is NOW NOW NOW
Was Dr Christine KASEBA evacuated to South Africa because she is a PF member? If not, why is serpentine SATA C(M)’s saluation at his letter’s end having the PARTY PRESIDENT thing?
I thus, understand why Mr President RB Banda took that letter as a politicising matters letter instead of just being a mere gratitude one. The easiest Mr SATA MC could have done was to write to letters to the President RB Banda with 2 different Subjects!
On “As Head of State and Government, I implore you to assure our people that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) and other related government institutions shall not be allowed to pay lip-service to the principles of democracy and transparency…” the line grammatically wrong because Sata MC is not President of Zambia. Terrible error…
#61 Deja Vu; your pseudonym suggests your head is in the clouds! (perhaps after smoking the same herbs Sata smokes). By kafupi’s own admission, Chilufya Sata is a functional illiterate who couldn’t even take down sensible minutes during MMD NEC meetings! If that’s the ‘intellect’ you claim surpasses mine, then God help us all.
On “As Head of State and Government, I implore you to assure our people that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) and other related government institutions shall not be allowed to pay lip-service to the principles of democracy and transparency but shall endeavour to win the confidence of all stakeholders and other participants in the 2011 presidential and general elections,” when did Mr Sata MC become Zambian Head of State ad Government? Whoever tried to write that letter from Mr Sata MC, whom Mr FJT Chiluba said can not write English unless something like Taiwanese English, the letter was a good attempt but useless as pointed out carefully by RB Band in his counter reply letter because the subject matter and the contents that were extended are not showing intelligence which…
I don’t see anything wrong with mr.sata’s letter except the inclusion of the election issues.
It is true that our health sector is in a pathetic state.and it is tru that RB has bin doing a lot 2 improve it but his efforts are minimal.we nid radical health reforms a.s.a.p.
Continuing “As Head of State and Government, I implore you to assure our people that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) … ” when did Mr Sata MC become Zambian Head of State ad Government? Whoever tried to write that letter from Mr Sata MC, whom Mr FJT Chiluba said can not write English unless something like Taiwanese English, the letter was a good attempt but useless as pointed out carefully by RB Band in his counter reply letter because the subject matter and the contents that were extended are not showing intelligence which confirms Mr FJT Chiluba’s claims.
Also, Mr President RB Banda’s “The question is what did you and many others that have held that portfolio done to improve health care provision in Zambia?‘s mistake is not impressive…
#72 “Voice of the Poor” my question to you is where do you start from? Do you buy equipment and put it in the open? Do you have health workers working in the open without a hospital? i think your thinking is messed up thats why you will die working to improve other peoples’ countries instead of improving your own. You are rushing for plash life build by other people instead of making your own.
Also, Mr President RB Banda’s “The question is what did you and many others that have held that portfolio done to improve health care provision in Zambia?‘s mistake is not impressive because “do” and “done” individually as single words have different connotations in a sentence.
Even “In the first place, I must say I have found it rather disappointing that you have decided to mix the issue of gratitude and the shortfalls of our health care system in Zambia,” is not good enough since “say” has a connotation of uttering words by mouth as opposed to “mention” which is more appropriate in the above sentence as a replacement for “say”.
Anyhow, what can we expect from very old people or people who instruct others to write things for them.
Be…
That’s why HH should be president, we cannot have dinosours fighting over very petty issues. Let me point out my frustrations with these two gentlement; 1. In a letter of gratitude why include politcs esp if its supposed to be a family letter thanking a head of state. 2. ECZ has juridiction and mandate to deal with all the issues about elections, 3. why channel your frustrations of your previous losses to your fellow candidate, ECZ is there, if not enough raise these issues to ECZ copy them to stakeholders e.g. Political Parties, Funders, Monitors, NGOs, etc. As for RB, he is right to remind Sata that he’s part of the reason we have poor health services. 2. Being soooo petty as Head of state, not to see folly in Sata’s letter then plays to the gallery like copy other people if its…
#83 miyoba
HH is a known tribalist and leader of a known tribal party.HH told Sakwiba Sikota in the face, that a Lozi can never be president of zambia, because he would bring up the BA64 issue once in office.Not even baptism in JIK or Boom can wipe away the tribal tag HH has.So wake up from your stupor.
Sata’s letter was tainted with his usual attempts to gain political mileage.
Otherwise why write such a letter to the president and then publish it in your campaign newsletter? The logic is that it would be politically unstrategic to publish only a “thank you” letter in the Post.
RB is right, the correct thing for Sata to do is to thank the president in a simple letter. If he has any other issues he can write other letters afterwards. But then Sata is a god and can foresee that he will not suffer any more emergencies before the elections.
Hehe…but RB is mad. What has he responded to Sata’s good letter?..rubbish.
Sata thanked him and went futher to remind RB that Zambia needs good medical equipment so that all Zambians are well cared for than having only Sata and the like evacuted to South Africa.
On this one Sata 10 – 0 RB.
Kaseba’s evacuation to South Africa had a direct link to the health care system (or lack of it) in Zambia and it takes only f’.o.ols blind in the extreme not to see this.
Sata’s letter to RB was published by Mmembe in order to politik about issues raised. Of course the concerns are true and need attention. However the point RB raised, which is very cardinal for governance sake, is that the good issues that Sata raised should have been directed to the ECZ. Infact RB showed concern by appreciating the issues raised and copying in the chairperson of the ECZ. Sata seems challenged in matters of governance and management by thinking that everything should be handled by a president with no division of responsibilties. As a professional myself, i would have merely asked him to raise his concerns with the right department. I only hope the PF bloggers are able to understand what governance challenges RB exposed about their leader.
So RB can`t take constructive critism ? What a loser.
#66 Zambian Youth. You sound like a typical frustrated Zambian youth. Please note that political leaders are not there to buy mealie meal for you. What is important and expected of them is a good sustainable social and economic environment that creates opportunities for youths like yourself to thrive. Such an environment is created by availability of schools to equip you, transport and communiaction network, sound monetaory system, fair legal system and many other forms of infrastracture developments. Concertrate on these matters and you shall see a lot of opportunities in Zambia that currently many foreigners are seeing and utilising. How much you personally hate Rupia(as Mmembe does) does not matter. God does not bless evil prayers(Remember that).
Interestingly, I see more maturity in Sata’s letter.
#84 Would you say the same applies to RB and Sata. If not explain to why not. RB has been quoted as telling people in the Eastern province to pick a local, Sata speaks his beloved bemba everywhere he goes.
If the leaders of Zambia have them selves treated out of the country there is no way i would let those doctors treat my children or my husband especially that they are used to British health care.
Thanks.
Bwezani is right, what did Sata do thats we can point at today when he was Minister of Health. Yes I agree he worked but it was using the same system without any improvement. the man just talks too much for nothing. Bwezani has said he is improving and he will keep improving. Way to go Mr President. Chi Sata has been around too long. go and look after your wife. I wonder what he would have said had the wife died
I don’t see nothing wrong with the two letters.I guess the only question I have is why these letters are being made public.Did Sata leak the letter to the post or someone at state house leaked the letter to the post?If Sata did so what was the motive?RB gave his reasons in advance why he was going to reveal the letter to the public so I guess the onus is on Sata to state his reasons unless he didn’t do it.
#89 Mo taim. Read through carefully and note that the critism is misdirected. Sata needs to go to school and study some management and governance issues. You dont asked the engineering manager matters on salary calculations. The world has greatly grown, it does not need a person without education at the top job. Evidently, a graduate or equivalent is needed to do the President’s job. That clause should have remained in the constitution. If Sata wins the elections, we shall go back to 1964 as he wont comprehend matters just as he failed during an interview at VOICE OF AMERICA. Those are pipo he would be dealing with if he became president.
So Sata cares about health personnel. Why did he fire doctors when they asked him to buy them gloves to use in their work when he served as minister?
Sata was right to address the letter to RB because he made the decision to evacuate. What I find amiss is in the long list of people he gives gratitute to the Zambian TAXPAYER is conspicously missing. This shows Sata’s dictatorial attitude, in his imbecile mind RB gave him the money when infact RB only decided to spend our money on him. Clearly none of the two bums impresses me from the two letters above. Bollocks!
MMD Chief bootliker, I cannot believe that we still have some people who think like you, If you do not have ideas please step aside and let those with ideas take over the running of the country. You do not need to posses the IQ of Albert Eistein for you to build a hospital with proper facilities ba mumbwe imwe. We have seen the qualifications of all ministers and MPs and I can tell you that most of the MMD leadership is full of people with small qualifications e.g brick layers, primary school teachers etc. No wonder most of you *****s rush into politics to earn a living instead of serving the people just like ka Chiluba ka Chickala.
If Mr Sata’s politics were mature and based on genuine regard for Zambia and not his pocket, this country would not be spending half its time on politicking. If that time had been put to productive use Zambia would have covered twice what it has achieved so far through the few serious minded citizens.
In fact, Mr Sata would have become president of Zambia back in 2001. Now that people have come to understand him better, his ambition for that office has become very remote. For once, please be honest Mr Sata.
#10 MB…..I think even if you hate someone, but please try to be sober in the way you react. In your posting you have taken RB to be a person that has abrogated the the principle of secrecy. But please understand that, it is SATA who released his letter to Fred Mmember who then published in the Post. This therefore, forced RB to release his also to the same press. Besides, he has also copied relevant authorities as per the 8 point complaints raised by Sata which touched heath, Disaster management, Elections and also the secretary to the cabinet for records sake. So really i don’t see what wrong RB has done here. Please much as we have preferred people we support, let us not throw away sober reasoning and objectivity. Thank you.
Good people, tell me who has more power in deciding how government resources should be used, Minister of Health or Republican President? How can you compare the two’? Then why not compare what the incumbent minister of Health has done to what Sata did?
Sata and the Wife are still sick people. He is tapping into a terrain that will come back and haunt him dearly. What if he or the wife fell very ill again? How does he expect RB to react?
We must all remember that Sata & Chiluba fired our doctors who have now ended up working in South Africa, USA, UK. These sameZambian Doctors are treating the sick Zambians queueing up in South Africa for top class medical attentions.
Anyone that has worked in Public & Private Admnistration, Corporate World, Executive Level, Management and Operaions will understant why RB had to ( CC-Carbon Copy ) all those people.
But these two RB and Sata sure, every day every day its masalamusi kwati tu kadoli ifikote fyonse, atase!
Absolutely NOTHING wrong with Sata’s memo. RB is simply an embecile!!
RB simply copied to the other stakeholders who are supposed to action the issues Sata raised in his letter.
You are correct (#105 viwemi), I see nothing wrong with RB ‘s response or SATA’s letter. This is just straight forward correspondence. Sata concerned, and RB replies. Simple!!! Discuss how to address issues raised by Sata and not why this or that about the letters!!!!
Now every one is able to see we are been led by a mentally challenged fellow. Sata started by thanking RB and his Government but as a responsible leader he wisely decided not to end at that but threw in a challenge or two explaining what poor relatives of mad man Senior citizen go through whenever they fall sick, i.e no evacuation for speciality treatment but wait for death to take them out of misery. Now if anyone can’t see sense in that then they are a reason our AVERAGE IQ is only superior to that of Aboriginals. This is getting over the top because even fo.olish politicking has a limit. If i was RB’s son i would advice him to fire all his advisors(since he can’t think on his own) because his excitement with power is becoming very embarrassing even to us who dont like him.
Come on in, its Great in Zambia!
Senior Citizen and Viwemi , I like your advice on this subject. It is on record that at least the President replied appropriately. I do not support any party.
How he found a fault in Sata’s letter is beyond me and i think that goes with a lot other sound minded human beings. In civilised world RB would be laughed out of State house just on this issue, surpringly in our world even the so called educated such as the ARV guzzler George Kunda are all seeing only faults in Sata’s letter. AMAZING.
Absolutely correct by both in writing to each other. But the question is, which projects in the mininstry of health were done when Sata was Minister of health ? Not even a simple health post to talk about. But look at RB, we cant count the facilities being built. They are simply plenty. VIVA RB and Kapembwa Ngosa Simbao. What about other projects, come on pipo let us be realistic, Lusaka will soon have 2 beautiful stadia and thereafter livingstone. God forbid that the serpent becomes prsido otherwise these projects will stall. RB is even completing LPM`s projects like the Ndola stadium, Chembe bridge and many others,thats what we call continuity. If Sata was Pesido Luanshya mine wudnt have opened and Vale/ARM in Chililabombwe. RB at work
#111 Commando
If you weren’t busy puffing aways cannabis you would have seen what Sata did when he was Minister of Health. In any case is it normal to compare a Minister and a President? use common sense.
#112 msana wanzili
Just mention one project which Sata did as Minister of Health which is still there today except fathering children outside marriage. Ala! Now compare Sata and Simbao. Cant you see that Simbao is jobbing than what the serpent did.
# 40 yaya and # 48 Lady gaga, MWALASA right to the point. How can u have both the wife and the husband going to SA on the same problem yakumtima. What kind of a first family shall we have. Sick Presido, sick first lady ??????? VIVA RB
#113 commando
Deary me! You missed the boat mate, it’s not about Sata building hospitals because he does not have that kind of cash to build another UTH or pay nurses from his pocket. Its about motivating and giving lags in the health sector a slight push and he did exceptionally well. Wearing glasses, seeping cuppa after the other and singing RB,RB, RB isn’t good enough for a Minister of health, we need to see him clear out loads of misfits that are in our hospitals, mugs that dont do the work they are paid for.
Very interesting to see how people keep on insisting that Sata worked when he was Health Minister and yet we can’t point at a single project. I don’t subscribe to RB’s party, but let’s face it he has tried in this score.
By the way, how and why do some shallow minds use demeaning sentiments against fellow bloggers? Just shows how uncivilized one is!
I laughed lungs out… If this article is true, Sure credit should be given to RB. Exonarating himself from matters that are not inline with his work and pointing out what Sata did in the past could make us wait and see what will be Sata’s next message.
The way some people are talking of Sata scares me. How can one write a letter of thanks, talk about state of hospitals & finally talk about elections, by the way what have elections got to do with Dr Kaseba’s illness, as the heading of his letter states……..shame on the Sata supporters who want the ECZ to improve health care in the country……ooh sorry, i meant, i meant free and fair elections in milpark hospital, ooh sorry am confused!!!!
boseni tumfwe he is presido now:d
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