PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has said Government will not be distracted from initiating development projects that are beneficial to the citizenry.

Mr Banda told journalists yesterday that all the projects the Government was embarking on, including the mobile hospitals through a concessional loan of 361 million yuan (K261 billion) from China, were meant for the benefit of the citizens.

The president said this shortly before his departure for Luena to drum up support for MMD candidate, Mwangala Maopo in the Parliamentary by-election scheduled for August 5.

Former Defence minister George Mpombo and some of the countries' cooperating partners had condemned the acquisition of a loan from China for the mobile hospitals.

"Don't mind about people like Mpombo, his name is spelt Mpombo and I don't want to answer them.

"Don't you get tired of writing and reading about Mpombo, Mpombo, I don't want to answer them," President Banda said.

Mr Banda said it was none of the critics' business to comment on the mobile hospitals which would benefit the people of Zambia.

The Government knew well what the citizens wanted and would, therefore, ensure that it delivered such services.

He said critics should desist from commenting on Government's projects, as they were not aware of the people's needs.

And the Public Health Partnership Forum (PHPF) has commended Government for the acquisition of a K261.2 billion concessional loan from China for the procurement of mobile hospitals as that would help more Zambians access medical facilities.

PHPF publicity secretary Enock Kaputula said the loan would help many Zambians, particularly those in the rural areas.

The Chinese government has also given Zambia a grant of 30 million yaun (K21.7 billion) for the completion of existing projects.