Wed, 26 Apr 2017 11:47:50 +0000
By OSCAR MALIPENGA
It is totally untrue that UPND President Hakainde Hichilema was denied medical attention by Prison authorities as widely suggested by Party secretary general Stephen Katuka.
If anything Mr. Hichilema’s personal physician a Dr. Shakankhale from Trust Hospital visited him on Monday and left without informing Correctional Services (Prison) Department of any further medical attention requirement Minister of Justice Given Lubinda who is also acting Minister of Home
Affairs, revealed yesterday.
Ït was at the initiative of the Prison staff, who saw an entry in the visitor’s book, who alerted the Correctional Services physician Dr. Mangwende of an entry in the visitors book in which Dr. Shakankale suggested further consultation” he said
Mr. Lubinda explained that Mr. Hichilema’s personal doctor, Dr. Shakankale, only wrote in the visitors’ book that his client should be taken to Lusaka Trust Hospital without following the correct procedure.
“The officer-in-charge only realized very late after checking the visitors’ book that Mr. Hichilema, through his doctor, had requested to be taken to Lusaka Trust Hospital for medical attention.
Dr. Mangwende, called Dr. Shakankale to make arrangements for Mr. Hichilema to be seen at Lusaka Trust Hospital yesterday.
Mr. Lubinda said by press time yesterday, the two doctors were still discussing the modalities of taking Mr. Hichilema to the hospital.
Mr. Lubinda said it was not true as suggested by Mr. Katuta that Prison authorities failed to take Mr. Hichilema to the Trust Hospital because they had no transport.
Yesterday, Mr.Katuka, told the Daily Nation that on Monday Mr. Hichilema had requested to be seen by his personal doctor at Lusaka Trust Hospital but that he was denied access due to transport challenges by the prison authorities.
Mr. Katuka said after informing the Correctional Services Department of Mr. Hichilema’s request to be taken to Lusaka Trust Hospital, his family and party officials were assured that he would be taken to the hospital the same day.
“I waited together with Mr. Hichilema’s wife and his children yesterday (Monday) at Lusaka Trust Hospital from 15:00 hours to 17:00 hours but he was not brought for medical attention. When we tried to find out why he had not been brought we were told there was no transport,” Mr. Katuka said.
Mr Lubinda explained that Prison could not stop any incarcerated person from seeking medical attention.
Mr. Lubinda said the Lusaka Magistrate’s Court had ruled that Mr. Hichilema should be moved from Lilayi Police Training College to Lusaka Remand Prison to be visited by his family and accorded access to medical attention.
