Gov’t mocking Zambians over load shedding, says Hapunda

By GIDEON NYENDWA

IT is the worst form of mockery for the UPND government to tell Zambians who are being subjected to severe load shedding that they should not focus on Government’s failure to provide electricity but on the positives President Hakainde Hichilema has been able to deliver in his four years in office, Brian Hapunda has charged.
Mr Hapunda, the Socialist Party presidential advisor has described as a mockery a statement by Health Minister Elijah Muchima that Zambians should not focus on load shedding when criticising the UPND government, stating the lack of power had crippled every sector of life in the country.
Mr. Hapunda said it was disappointing, though not surprising, that a government minister could appear unconcerned about the devastating effects of load shedding, which had become a national crisis affecting all sectors of production, including health.
“What is coming out from the minister is very disappointing, although not shocking, because we know that we have a very uncaring leadership,” he said.
“He is a minister who says he doesn’t know what is happening, yet load shedding is affecting every industry of production, including his own ministry.”
Mr. Hapunda stated that hospitals and clinics across the country were among the hardest hit, with many health facilities lacking electricity to power essential equipment.“Imagine children on life support, in incubators, or adults in ICU on oxygen supply how does the minister expect these people to survive when there is no power?
No wonder we have an increased death rate in our hospitals. When you get sick nowadays, you just have to pray to God that you come out alive,” Mr Hapunda said.
Mr Hapunda has also criticised the UPND administration for failing to provide medicines in public health facilities, saying the shortage of essential drugs had persisted for over four years.
“Even when you are admitted in these hospitals, there are no medicines. People are dying from curable diseases because there are no malaria drugs and other essentials. This is very painful and it’s happening under the UPND government,” Mr Hapunda said.
He charged that the government had failed to deliver on its promises, calling on Zambians to vote the UPND out in the next general elections.
“Come next year, Zambians must give these people a red card,” Mr Hapunda declared.