A CRY FOR ACCOUNTABILITY..
The untimely passing of the Bank of Zambia Governor’s wife has not only brought grief but also served as a moment of national reckoning. In the presence of President Hakainde Hichilema, the Governor issued an emotional indictment of Zambia’s leadership, stating…
“People are dying because we’re dipping our hands into money meant for healthcare.”
This heartfelt statement reflects the pain of millions of Zambians who rely on a collapsing healthcare system, a system crippled by corruption, mismanagement, and misplaced priorities under the current administration. It is a powerful call to action for the President and his government to address the glaring failures that continue to cost lives.
The healthcare sector remains underfunded, with critical shortages of medicines, inadequate staffing, and dilapidated infrastructure. Despite repeated promises, the Hichilema administration has failed to provide adequate resources or accountability.
Instead the little, funds intended for life saving services are being misappropriated, leaving vulnerable citizens to suffer the consequences. The Auditor General’s reports and public outcries have repeatedly highlighted these issues, yet meaningful action remains absent.
President Hichilema’s administration campaigned on the promise of fighting corruption. However, the reality suggests otherwise. As the Governor’s remarks confirm, even critical healthcare funds are siphoned off with impunity.
This highlights weak enforcement mechanisms to institutions meant to safeguard public resources lacks independence to execute their duties and selective justice. The Anti-corruption efforts focus on only on high profile cases while the current systemic corruption persists and it goes unchecked.
Leadership is not about promises it is about results. The Governor’s plea underscores the human toll of governance failures.
When resources for healthcare are stolen, it is ordinary citizens especially the poor and marginalized who pay the price, often with their lives.
The lack of transparency and accountability in the Ministry of Health is a direct reflection of the government’s failure and misplaced priorities.
While speeches about development and progress dominate headlines, the reality is that Zambia’s citizens are dying from preventable causes due to the mismanagement of resources and poor governance.
President Hichilema must urgently respond to the crisis in the Ministry of Health if he has any conscience or genuine will to serve the Zambian people. A healthy nation is the foundation of economic stability and progress.
Without addressing the healthcare crisis, the President risks losing the trust of the very people who entrusted him with their votes. To restore faith and ensure a functional healthcare system, the President must take decisive action:
1. Accountability to allow the ACC to work independently, to curb misappropriation of healthcare funds and hold all involved accountable, regardless of political affiliation.
2. Strengthen Oversight marketing sure the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and Auditor General’s office are working independently and free from political interference.
3. Increase Healthcare funding allocate sufficient resources to revitalize healthcare infrastructure, ensure the availability of medicines.
4. To demonstrate Leadership, to give and inspire Public confidence to address the issues raised by the Governor and commit to specific timelines for reform in the healthcare sector.
In conclusion i would like to echo the statement from Governor’s emotional outburst as a wake up call. President Hichilema must recognize that the cries of a grieving husband and a suffering nation cannot go unanswered.
The time for rhetoric is over, the President’s legacy will not be defined by his promises and long speechs but by his actions.
Zambia deserves leadership that prioritizes the welfare of its citizens over political games. It is time for the President to step up, address the rot in the Ministry of Health, and prove that he has the conscience and the will to build a healthier, more prosperous nation.
A healthy nation is a productive nation. But the question remains, will President Hichilema rise to the occasion, or will he let history remember him as a leader who failed his people?
Abraham Simpamba
Together We Can
Ichalo Bantu!
The conman will have you believe it is the fault of PF.
After 2026, our jails will be full of PF and UPND politicians and affiliates.
I am very happy that those that did wrong from PF are being jailed.
Yes, it is selective justice because Hakainde is only jailing opposition, BUT, once he is voted out, UPND thieves and affiliates will face these same courts, and jail sentences will result for sure. You can not just steal and stash dirty money abroad. Kutumpa uko.
Vote wisely in 2026.
Dreams are free. In 2026, we will vote for HH.
What’s central bank governor supposed to do when he’s aware that fiscal policy-distorting activity such as theft of public resources is going on? The answer is simple actually.
“Leadership is not about promises it is about results.”
The above is cardinal. In this regard I would like to add the following that the current administration should address asap:
1. The number of so-called checkpoints on our roads was expected to be reduced to a minimum, but the reality on the ground suggests that there is an increase which is very frustrating.
2. The choas created by weighbridge operations on our main roads is totally unacceptable. One example is what is happening at Kapiri Mposhi.
3. The haphazard loadshedding by ZESCO making it impossible for anyone relying on ZESCO for powe to plan their activities in a coherent manner.