I’ve cancer, Doreen Mwamba discloses
By Favourite Kalando
MINISTER of Community Development and Social Services Doreen Mwamba says she has been battling thyroid cancer for the last two years.
Mwamba said the disease was sitting on her throat and that she was now able to speak freely after undergoing treatment.
She said surgeons and oncologists had warned her about the risks of the operation, including the possibility of losing her voice.
“I was told that you might lose your voice. It depends on the vocal chords, but you might lose your voice. That is the worst thing that can happen,” Mwamba said.
“I don’t understand where this confusion is coming from. I have been very open about my health. The travel, medication and upkeep are self-sponsored,” she said.
Mwamba said she had not resigned as reported by social media users.
She thanked President Hakainde Hichilema for allowing her to seek treatment abroad, saying his support had been crucial.
“Thank God today I’m able to speak. During my absence, the staff here never dropped the ball. The permanent secretary stepped up and we never delayed any service intended for our poor and vulnerable people. The directors went an extra mile to serve the people of Zambia,” Mwamba said.
She said her cancer was now in remission and that the ministry continued paying Social Cash Transfer money without interruption.
“When I had this battle, we had the drugs and we were paying the Immediate Social Cash Transfer alongside the traditional Social Cash Transfer,” Mwamba said.
She said government was paying over 2.2 million households covering more than 11.5 million Zambians through the ministry’s programmes.
Payments had been regular and beneficiaries had continued receiving services.
Mwamba said she remained a firm believer in the UPND administration under Hichilema’s leadership.
She described social media rumours suggesting that she had resigned as “extremely saddening”.
Her comments should not be politicised but understood in a human and administrative context.
