WE MUST consider making aggressive and sometimes painful decisions in the interest of the well-being of the people in the wake of the coronavirus scare like what Kenya has done to curb its spread, United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema has said.
Mr. Hichilema has appealed to Government to consider extending a moratorium on various engagements with Chinese counterparts, until the disease was completely brought under control.
“We have read reports of Kenya suspending flights from China in an effort to contain the spread of the Coronavirus to its citizens. This is exactly what we expected from those in government today. Leadership calls for making aggressive and sometimes painful decisions in the interest of the well-being of the people they are governing.
“We should therefore consider extending a moratorium on various engagements with our Chinese counterparts, until the disease is contained. We do not just have the capacity as a country to fight this virus because in the first place, we do not have the resources,” Mr. Hichilema said.
He said if this virus found its way to Zambia, the consequences would be dire hence the need to put stringent measures to protect citizens.
“As matter of fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) Director General, Dr Tedros Alhanom has expressed alarm that if the disease enters Africa a continent that generally has a poor health care system, it could potentially kill millions and cause more havoc, than anywhere else in the World.
“We must act now. We therefore call upon the PF to act in the interest of the Zambian people, and take practical measures to protect our citizens, like what our Kenyan counterparts have done. There is no time to waste,” he said.
