Wed, 17 Jan 2018 10:14:16 +0000
By AARON CHIYANZO
NOT all diseases occur naturally, some have been used before as tools for regime change as was witnessed in a failed attempt which occurred in Zimbabwe in 2007, former UPND vice president for politics, Canisius Banda has said.
Dr Banda, who is a public health specialist emphasised that trade should continue and that public health interventions must continue with it.
He said that in as much as diseases could wreck an economy and lead to a reduction or complete stoppage of commerce, some were used as a tool for regime change.
Dr Banda told the Daily Nation that not all diseases occurred naturally as had been witnessed in a failed attempt which occurred in Zimbabwe in 2007.
Dr Banda pointed out that when a contagious lethal disease breaks out, schools close, communal worships cease, markets shut and that the economy suffers damage.
“This is how the economy of Sierra Leone, as a result of Ebola, was severely damaged a few years ago. Sierra Leone is much poorer today than before. This economic damage can be a premise for insurrection.
“Not all diseases occur naturally, some have been used before as a tool for regime change as was witnessed in a failed attempt which occurred in Zimbabwe in 2007,” Dr Banda said.
Dr Banda said that when there was an outbreak in the country, tourists do not visit, hotel occupancy dropped, income was lost, and with that, jobs.
He reiterated that when markets close, income at the household level disappeared which was coned with hunger and anger.
“This anger in the marketeer whose fish has now rotted because there is no market is then directed at the one who closed the market.” said Dr Banda.
Dr Banda said that trade was vital and that a balancing act should then be made between public health safety and economic activities.
He said that ceasing all trade under the guise of controlling an outbreak as dictated by public health laws is unwise.
