ZAMBIA BEGINS A NEW CHAPTER

ALL eyes and ears were on Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka where the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) was announcing election results and to declare the winner of the just ended August 12 Presidential poll. For some time there had been anxiety and uncertainty with a vivid string of tension in the air that was so tight that even a blunt knife would easily cut it. Zambians and the rest of the world wanted to know who would rule Zambia for the next five years. The biggest question was whether it was going to be continuity of the Patriotic Front (PF) under President Edgar Lungu (the incumbent) or was it going to be the United Party for National Development (UPND) under Mr Hakainde Hichilema aka “Bally.” Fear had gripped many with most wondering if the peace that Zambia is known for would prevail and be sustained. As history has it, when the final whistle was blown, the ECZ chairperson Justice Esau Chulu had to finally break the ice by declaring Mr. Hichilema  has the victor and  therefore officially become  the President-elect  to be soon sworn in as the  new and seventh President of Zambia. Indeed, once again Zambia has proven to the rest of the world that despite  our differences, tribes, gender, educational status, despite our political affiliations etc we can still stand as one in the spirit of “One Zambia, One Nation.” Yes, there may have been isolated pockets of violence and sadly in some cases careless loss of life, but ultimately love and peace for which Zambia and Zambians are known for prevailed. It is a new dawn, a new chapter for our country, a new beginning. THE “NEW” CHAPTER WITH  AN “OLD” BATTLE We still have a lot to work on as a nation, a lot to improve in different sectors. One such fight that continues is one against Covid-19. Yes currently the cases have gone down in the country and the situation looks better. Recent statistics from the Ministry of Health (MoH) show that the positivity rate has gone down, so have hospitalisations and deaths, what a great relief it is. But let us at no point become too comfortable to think Covid-19 is over; it is not, we are still far from it. We have a new chapter but with a long way to go and in some aspects we still have so many old battles to fight. These range from social, political, educational etc but also in the aspect with the fight against Covid-19.  There are some battles we are still fighting. WE STILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE ‘LONG HAULERS’ Many who survived the disease are still facing challenges and this still continues being a puzzle to the health care workers globally.  It not only affects one at an individual level but also affect the general productivity of the nation. I know a lot of people from all walks of life complaining that they can’t work as they used to before they had Covid-19. I can count a number of teachers that tell me  they can’t even stand for even a single period  of 40 minutes,  let alone for long hours. They keep asking their superiors for some days off. Same applies to nurses, doctors etec etra. Indeed we have this battle that still has to be dealt with. WE STILL HAVE TO BE VACCINATED As I have said time and again, yes the current vaccines may not offer 100 percent defence against Covid-19, some people may still get infected and indeed some may even die but at the moment vaccines are the closest we have to the cure. Eventually everyone should make a decision about this cardinal aspect. Those at risk, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems, getting a good effective vaccine will help reduce the chances of getting infected and if you do, it will help reduce the severity of the disease For instance, currently cases in the United States  have risen and statistics show that it is mainly in states like Texas where most people are not vaccinated because of the higher influence of antivax movements. In the effort  to ensure that the elderly are even better protected against the deadly Delta wave sweeping through the  country, the Food and Drug Association  (FDA), the US approved giving a third dose of Covid-19 vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer),”booster shots” to such. WE STILL HAVE TO FIND THE CURE Like the rest of the world, we should continue to search for the cure for Covid-19, I hope we shall invest in local research. We should investigate all possibilities that are within the safety and the benefit of the patients. The World Health Organisation (WHO) is looking at a number of drugs as potential treatment for Covid-19, will share this in detail later. Many countries are also doing the same with some still doing trials and even using drugs like Ivermectin. LET US START Let us all rally behind our new commander in chief, let us forget everything else but remember only one thing that we are all Zambians. For sure we have a long way to go, we have too many wounds to heal, too many bridges to build, too many hurts to forgive and also so  much work to do. In the words of Simon Sinek, “IT DOESN’T MATTER WHERE WE START, ALL THAT MATTERS IS THAT WE START.” And so “let us start.” Yes, together we can, and we will win this fight, please let us continue our fight against this pandemic.  Please still mask up, observe hand hygiene, socialise wisely. To our incoming President, Mr Hichilema, “I say congratulations to you Sir and the UPND for having been given the opportunity to serve us the people of Zambia at the highest office of the land.” And as a Frontline Medical Doctor, it is my prayer and pledge that we’ll continue under your leadership to fight this deadly pandemic until Zambia, Africa and the rest of the world is Covid-19 free.  “One Zambia,  One Nation.” UNTIL THEN, ALUTA CONTINUA..