Zambia’s Mwanawasa needs surgery

LUSAKA – Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa, who is being treated in a Paris hospital after a stroke, needs surgery to improve his breathing, Vice President Rupiah Banda said yesterday.

Mwanawasa, 59, was rushed to hospital on June 29 in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh after suffering a stroke just before an African Union summit. He was later transferred to Paris for treatment.Banda said in a statement Mwanawasa required a “minor operation” to improve his breathing following a review of his condition at a military hospital in France.”I am pleased to inform the nation that …Dr Levy P.Mwanawasa had a routine medical review this morning, Monday 7 July, 2008.The president remains in a stable condition except for the need of an intervention which requires a minor operation to improve his breathing,” he said.”The rest of the treatment remains unchanged and Dr Mwanawasa continues to be in the Intensive Care Unit of the Percy Military Hospital in Paris, France.”Zambia last week dismissed South African media reports that Mwanawasa had died.The Zambian leader is a favourite of the International Monetary Fund and other Western donors, who extended billions of dollars in debt relief after he cracked down on government spending and launched an anti-graft drive.Mwanawasa is an outspoken critic of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.He chairs the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which has mediated between Mugabe and the opposition to try to end a political and economic crisis in neighbouring Zimbabwe.Zimbabwe’s neighbours have been flooded with refugees after the once-prosperous nation’s economy collapsed.Mwanawasa suffered a mild stroke in 2006 but said before being re-elected that year that he was fit to stand for office.Nampa-ReutersHe was later transferred to Paris for treatment.Banda said in a statement Mwanawasa required a “minor operation” to improve his breathing following a review of his condition at a military hospital in France.”I am pleased to inform the nation that …Dr Levy P.Mwanawasa had a routine medical review this morning, Monday 7 July, 2008.The president remains in a stable condition except for the need of an intervention which requires a minor operation to improve his breathing,” he said.”The rest of the treatment remains unchanged and Dr Mwanawasa continues to be in the Intensive Care Unit of the Percy Military Hospital in Paris, France.”Zambia last week dismissed South African media reports that Mwanawasa had died.The Zambian leader is a favourite of the International Monetary Fund and other Western donors, who extended billions of dollars in debt relief after he cracked down on government spending and launched an anti-graft drive.Mwanawasa is an outspoken critic of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.He chairs the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which has mediated between Mugabe and the opposition to try to end a political and economic crisis in neighbouring Zimbabwe.Zimbabwe’s neighbours have been flooded with refugees after the once-prosperous nation’s economy collapsed.Mwanawasa suffered a mild stroke in 2006 but said before being re-elected that year that he was fit to stand for office.Nampa-Reuters