‘Unfelt numbers nothing to suffering citizens’
By Thandizo Banda
THE US$6.5 billion national reserves President Hakainde Hichilema is boasting about must be balanced between economic development and poverty reduction, seasoned politician Mumbi Phiri has said.
In an interview, Phiri said Zambians would only appreciate the US$6.5 billion reserves if they positively impacted their lives.
She said Zambians should not be sacrificed for unfelt statistics, as was the case with the UPND and Hichilema government.
Phiri, a former diplomat, questioned Hichilema’s priorities between stacking up reserves amid drug and equipment shortages in government institutions.
“Zambians have heard President Hichilema brag of locking US$6.5 billion in reserves when Zambians are dying due to lack of essential medicines in hospitals and clinics. Zambians are living in abject poverty,” Phiri said.
She said major referral hospitals, including the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) and Kabwe Central Hospital, were operating without most drugs and critical equipment such as CT scans.
“I’m talking from experience, having a 13-year-old granddaughter in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at UTH after being referred from Kabwe Newborn and Mothers Hospital,” she said.
Phiri said services at the Cancer Diseases Hospital were also poor due to a lack of essential drugs and equipment.
She said even health workers were not spared, with most turning to private institutions for healthcare when in need.
Phiri said she sympathized with those affected, saying the situation was worse for less privileged citizens.
“Zambians affected by Hichilema’s anti-poor policies should turn up en masse and vote out the current regime on August 13,” she said.
Phiri also took a swipe at the UPND’s campaign launch rally held at Heroes Stadium in Lusaka on Sunday, calling it an act of desperation.
“We encourage those who are called to be ferried for these costly ‘music concerts’ to demand advance payment. We hear they are being given ‘ka something’… let them claim it because it is taxpayers’ money. Otherwise, the rallies will not sway Zambians from what they are resolved to do on August 13,” she said.
