VP And Speaker Lead MPs In Covid-19 Testing

Vice President Inonge Wina and Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini led MPs and parliamentary staff in mass testing for Covid-19 on Wednesday after an outbreak of the disease at the parliament buildings this past week.

Speaking during the testing exercise, Mrs Wina said it was imperative that every Member of Parliament receive a Covid-19 test and know their results before interacting with their families and their constituents. 

She also urged Zambians not to be sceptical but rather to embrace testing as Covid-19 is a potentially life threatening disease.

It follows the news that parliament was forced to adjourn on Tuesday after several MPs and members of staff tested positive for the virus and two members died. 

Rogers Mwewa, MP for Mwansabombwe, and Mwenya Munkonge, MP for Lukashya, both passed away on Saturday as a result of complications associated with Covid-19. 

Speaker of the House Patrick Matibini has also urged parliamentary staff and MPs to get tested, saying that Zambia’s lawmakers should lead by example.  

Minister of Health Dr Chitalu Chilufya said that parliament’s advocacy of mass testing would go a long way in inspiring people to get tested for Covid-19.

The Health Minister also emphasised the need to invest in testing equipment as it is vital to detect cases early in order to suppress the effects of the pandemic. 

The total number of coronavirus cases in Zambia currently stands at 3,583, with 128 deaths.