United Democratic Front (UDF) President Atupele Muluzi who is also a possible runningmate for President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika in the forthcoming Presidential polls has come under fire for donating medical equipment to China to fight coronavirus.
As various countries are moving in to assist China in combating coronavirus, Muluzi also moved in with medical equipment.
“Yesterday I took some time to pay a courtesy call on H.E the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in a symbolic gesture of solidarity and made a donation of medical supplies towards the global fight against COVID19.
“The spread of the Corona Virus is a global problem, with China the most affected so far and in the African spirit of Ubuntu we come together as one to face our challenges together. The spirit of giving during times of difficulty is a universal value.#TogetherWeCan #LetsFightCOVID19,” wrote Muluzi on his official facebook page.
But the move by Muluzi attracted mixed reactions among Malawians with many criticizing him, saying many public hospitals are lacking medical equipment.
Zinaumasiya Wa Chanza wrote: “That’s priorities upside down baby boy. Your fellow poverty stricken Malawians had been hardly hit by hunger and you don’t see any need to channel such aid to them.
“If I am to honestly advise you ,I would say you better exert much of your energy rescuing your father’s party from the Jaws of DPP.”
Concuring with Chanza’s remarks,Visati Vizengezenge Saka wrote: “Of course it has a meaning to drop a cup full into the ocean…..but does the action bring an IMPACT or NOT? Is it meagre or gigantic..?
“Anyway…while we paying loans to the same country in trillions…does it make a broader sense giving them aid…”
“I mean…kkkkk I have a spontaneous disintegrating questions……but one last question #Do you guys HAVE advisors and strategists????”
On his part Desmond Desmond wrote: “WE WILL REMEMBER THIS WHEN CORONAVIRUS STRIKES MALAWI AND THERE ARE NO SUPPLIES LEFT FOR US!!!”
Meanwhile Muluzi is yet to comment on the matter.
Globally, more than 93,000 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19, the vast majority of them in China where the virus originated late last year.
The virus has so far claimed over 3000 people in China.
