I ‘m fit claims Bingu

Mutharika say he is fit: Lol!

President Bingu wa Mutharika has said he recently underwent medical check-up and was given a clean bill of health despite reports that he has advanced prostate cancer.

Mutharika said this in a letter addressed to his predecessor Bakili Muluzi.Muluzi in turn said he was disappointed to read about the state of President health on Nyasa Times.

Nyasa Times reported that President Mutharika has prostate cancer. It first reported about this a year ago and also informed the nation about the illness of late First Lady Ethel Mutharika.

The news when was first reported, State House refuted the story and accused Muluzi of spreading lies claiming Mutharika and the First Lady well enjoying good health.

When Nyasa Times again reported about the First Lady’s death, State House denied only to be confirmed by presidential aide Dr Hetherwick Ntaba 48 hours later and as a medical expert, Ntaba confirmed the First Lady died of cancer.

Mutharika in a letter to Muluzi dated October 28, 2008 said he does not have cancer.

"I recently underwent a very thorough medical check-up and was given clean bill of health. I am sure if you watch television, you will see how fit I am. I play golf and keep all my international engagements,” writes Mutharika who did not disclose when and where he went for the medial check up.

But Mutharika accused Muluzi for reports on Nyasa Times and about his health a claim which Muluzi rebutted.

“Let it be said that I am neither a sadist nor do I belong to a category of individuals that enjoy seeing others suffering or in pain nor do I celebrate when someone, whatever his or her disposition, is going through a bout of poor health,” reads Muluzi’s letter.  

“Your Excellency, the state of your health has never been a subject of debate in the UDF and be rest assured that I, personally, and the UDF as a party, continue to wish you good health,” assured Muluzi.

Mutharika however alleged that Muluzi is sick. 

"I am reliably informed that you have serious deterioration of your spinal cord and that you have pins inserted in the spinal cord to support your back," reads the letter by the Malawi President.

Mutharika says he also has information that Muluzi has cancer of the throat and that he sometimes experiences difficulties in speaking.

"I am also reliably informed that you have serious diabetes ‘A’ problem and that you cannot stay very long without eating anything or else you will faint. In fact, I recall that at one of your rallies you actually had to leave the podium quickly to get food and medication in the motor home behind the platform. Your wife prompted me to continue speaking so that people would not know what was happening," read Mutharika’s letter.  

But Muluzi shot back at Mutharika saying the President’s comments about his health are “ill-considered and made out of malice” saying “by and large, I am in very good health. “  

“Your Excellency, if at any time my health is not up to the mark, I will be the first one to go public about it as I have always done. I have never pretended to be such a person that cannot fall sick nor have I hidden the state of my health,” reads Muluzi’s letter. 

“Your Excellency, it is true that I had suffered a slipped disc and this condition came about because of the grueling campaign of 2004 that I had undertaken on Your Excellency’s behalf.   

“Your Excellency, following the slipped disk, I have since undergone operations in South Africa and the United Kingdom and my recuperation has been satisfactory. I still have to go for regular check-ups as advised by my specialist doctors,” reads Muluzi’s letter. 

Muluzi said he was perturbed that Mutharika has quickly forgotten that the said slipped disc had been as a result of the active campaigning for the incumbent who many observers said he was hard-to sell in 2004.

“I would request you to remember and appreciate my sacrifices and the sacrifices of other UDF leaders whom you fervently tout as enemies today,” said Muluzi.   

The former president also rebutted Mutharika’s allegations that he went through a blood draining operation in Egypt and that it is also not true that he has throat cancer.   

“I am disturbed with your claim that I suffer from category diabetes and that I cannot stay very long time without eating food or else I would faint. Your Excellency, your information is wrong and malicious since you well know that this is not the case.    

“You worked with me as cabinet minister and you spent long hours with me during the 2004 grueling campaign, which at times saw us conduct ten (10) campaign meetings a day without taking food. You are also aware that I am a devout Muslim who observes thirsty (30) days of fasting during the Holy month of Ramadan,” reads Muluzi’s letter.