Lusaka, Zambia (PANA) – Zambian President Edgar Lungu is due to leave for South Africa Tuesday for specialized treatment, the head of state announced Tuesday.
Doctors treating President Lungu who was discharged from Maina Soko military hospital in Lusaka Monday night have recommended that the President seeks medical treatment abroad to explore options of correcting the narrowing of the oesophagus (food pipe) that led to the illness of the President on Sunday.
President Lungu fell ill on Sunday while officiating at celebrations to mark Women’s International Day held at Heroes Stadium in Lusaka. President Lungu who was forced to withdraw from the ceremony before delivering his speech was hospitalized the same day.
But speaking to journalists on Tuesday when he witnessed the filing in of nomination for Chawama parliamentary seat in Lusaka which fell vacant after being elected President on 20 January, President Lungu said he was feeling much better.
‘I am feeling much better … will just have to travel to South Africa this afternoon (Tuesday) where doctors will decide whether to do a surgery or give me medication,” President Lungu said.
‘I will keep you updated. I hope to come back alive.” Lungu added.
Doctors have recommended that President Lungu undergoes a high-tech medical procedure which is currently unavailable in Zambia.
According to President Lungu’s special assistant for press and public relations, Amos Chanda, President Lungu has a history of Achalasia (the condition of the narrowing of the food pipe.) This condition was corrected 30 years ago at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka and appears to have recurred.
Achalasia is a condition that affects the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach.
Photo: Paul Shala
