RESPONSE TO MEASURES TAKEN BY MOH IN PREVENTING THE ADVENT OF THE POSSIBLE EMINENT 4TH COVID-19 WAVE

Dear Editor,

WE wish to put on record that we stand with the new dawn administration in the fight against the Covid -19 pandemic and will continue to adhere to the five golden rules on the prevention of the deadly virus.

We remain thankful to the Almighty God and all front line health workers that continue to lead in this fight, with so far numbers having reduced drastically based on the recent report which indicate 10 Covid-19 patients admitted in health facilities, zero deaths recorded and zero on admissions as at Saturday November 27, 2021.

While the government is in order to come up with measures to help deal with the Covid-19 situation, it cannot be decisions that go against the majority citizens. 

We have observed with concern that some of the announced measures effective yesterday to address the threat of the new variant “Omicron” and to prevent the advent of a possible eminent fourth wave, may have come out of fear, pressure or even political machination triggered by external forces.

We are concerned with some of the measures announced and therefore call upon the government to widely consult key stakeholders before going that direction on the following:

1. MOH position: All persons are to provide evidence of vaccination before entry into government buildings.

Our response and position: Has it become mandatory for all persons to be vaccinated? Government clearly came out in the open that vaccinations were not mandatory, what has changed now?

This decision cannot be supported as it goes against the majority of people’s convictions at the moment.  Government should widely consult on this issue before taking that route.

We are a democracy not a dictatorship.  It’s important to carefully consider the views of the majority Zambians, not what some foreign clique is dictating.

The UN rules on Covid-19 vaccine actually dictate that the vaccination is not mandatory.

2. MOH position: All civil and public servants to be vaccinated for them to be admitted at work. This is being done in consultation with the unions.

Our response and position: Government should have concluded with the unions before acting.  Further, Government cannot impose such a decision on all public workers, It’s against some people’s beliefs and convictions, it’s a violation of human rights to a larger extent.

Government shouldn’t force public workers to get vaccinated, as the idea of vaccination is not a mandatory issue and is not supported at law.

3. MOH position: Churches to only meet three times a week for an hour at each session.

Our response and position: The Church has not been widely consulted and Government should not treat the Church in this manner. The Church in Zambia account for over 95.5 percent of our population.

One hour is not enough, give the Church three hours under strict adherence to the five golden rule as it has been in recent past with good results.

When you our leaders claim to be Christians, we expect your decisions to reflect your belief in Christ taking into account proven professional expert advice on issues.

Let the Church meet for three hours and come up with a system to monitor and ensure compliance levels by the Church, working with the local authorities.

Government should avoid making decisions based on political machinations by some outside forces but on proven science in consultation with local experts and other key stakeholders regarding the Covid-19 pandemic situation.

The pressure coming from the imperialist thought patterns shouldn’t make Government make ill-timed decisions……….NO………,consult widely before implementing some of the measures on the Covid-19 in Zambia.

Covid-19 is real and evil, let’s fight it together.

REV CHILEKWA M,

Ndola.