Health condition of former Zambian president remains serious

Health condition of former Zambian president Frederick Chiluba remains serious but is improving, local media cited a spokesman as saying on Monday.

The former leader's spokesman Emmanuel Mwamba told Zambia Daily Mail that Chiluba, who was flown to South Africa on March 24 for medical treatment, was still in serious condition but was making progress though "at a slow pace."

Mwamba said Chiluba was better than he was two months ago when he was flown to South Africa.

In the meantime, Mwamba said reports in South African media that the country's intelligence was keeping a close eye on Chiluba following his alleged prolonged stay after he was discharged last month were "malicious and lacked credibility."

And Zambia's chief government spokesman Vernon Mwaanga also disputed reports that the government has made security arrangement with their South African counterpart to keep an eye on the former leader, who is facing several corruption charges at home.

Mwaanga explained that the government sent three security personnel to provide security to Chiluba in line with his benefits as a former leader, noting that the trio had been providing security even in Zambia.

"The government has neither sent any extra personnel nor made any arrangement with the South African government to keep a close eye on Dr. Chiluba," the spokesman said.

He further noted that the Zambian government would continue to maintain Chiluba and his team and that it was up to the doctors in South Africa to decide when he should return home.

Chiluba, who ruled Zambia from 1992 to 2001, was flown to South Africa for medical checks and specialized treatment after complaining of not feeling well.

The former president was previously denied to go abroad because he was still facing charges of abuse of office and corruption.

However, the Zambian government gave him green light after President Levy Mwanawasa paid a courtesy call to him and suggested that the former leader need urgent medical attention.

Source: Xinhua