News / Africa
Zambian minister dies after a heart attack
04 Dec 2013 at 08:53hrs | Views
LUSAKA - A Zambian minister has died in a South African hospital after suffering a heart attack, a senior government official said yesterday.
Patrick Chikusu, who was Deputy Minister of Health, died on Monday night at Milpark Hospital in South Africa where he was rushed after suffering a heart attack, according to Chief Government Spokesperson Mwansa Kapeya.
"Government regrets to inform the nation that Health Deputy Minister Hon. Dr Patrick Chikusu, MP, is dead. Dr Chikusu died last night at
Milpark Hospital in South Africa where he was evacuated after suffering a heart attack," he said.
According to the government spokesperson, the deceased minister was earlier admitted to a local hospital for a heart problem before being evacuated to South Africa for specialist treatment.
"Death has robbed the nation of a patriot who rendered selfless service as an eminent medical practitioner, politician and servant of the people," he added.
The late minister was one of the opposition lawmakers President Michael Sata appointed as deputy ministers in his government last year.
His political party, the Movement for Multiparty Democracy, has since expressed shock at his untimely death and described it as a big loss to the country.
"We are devastated as a party. Even when he agreed to serve in this government, he told us he was going there in his capacity as a professional. He was a humble man and down to earth," Chembe Nyangu, the party's deputy national secretary told Xinhua.
Patrick Chikusu, who was Deputy Minister of Health, died on Monday night at Milpark Hospital in South Africa where he was rushed after suffering a heart attack, according to Chief Government Spokesperson Mwansa Kapeya.
"Government regrets to inform the nation that Health Deputy Minister Hon. Dr Patrick Chikusu, MP, is dead. Dr Chikusu died last night at
Milpark Hospital in South Africa where he was evacuated after suffering a heart attack," he said.
According to the government spokesperson, the deceased minister was earlier admitted to a local hospital for a heart problem before being evacuated to South Africa for specialist treatment.
"Death has robbed the nation of a patriot who rendered selfless service as an eminent medical practitioner, politician and servant of the people," he added.
The late minister was one of the opposition lawmakers President Michael Sata appointed as deputy ministers in his government last year.
His political party, the Movement for Multiparty Democracy, has since expressed shock at his untimely death and described it as a big loss to the country.
"We are devastated as a party. Even when he agreed to serve in this government, he told us he was going there in his capacity as a professional. He was a humble man and down to earth," Chembe Nyangu, the party's deputy national secretary told Xinhua.
Source - Xinhua.
