A statement issued by the president’s office had said Lungu was treated for malaria after he was rushed to a military hospital. However, presidential spokesperson Amos Chanda issued another statement saying Lungu collapsed because he had achalasia.

“The Nation may wish to know that President Lungu has a history of the narrowing of the food pipe (medically known as achalasia), which was corrected 30 years ago at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH),” local online news platform, Zambian Watchdog quoted Chanda to have said.

“The tests have revealed that this condition may have recurred and could have led to the low sugar condition the President experienced during the Women’s Day event.”

Chanda said a team of top medical experts, having reviewed the tests results recommended immediate correction of this condition.

“They have recommended that President Lungu undergoes a high-tech medical procedure which is currently unavailable in Zambia and therefore he has been referred for specialized treatment abroad.”

Lungu became Zambia’s president after narrowly defeating opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema in the January presidential by-election which came following Sata’s death in October.

Rumours were rife for months about Sata’s health before he eventually died, but they were always denied by the government.

Sata was Zambia’s second leader to die in office in six years. This has raised calls for presidential aspirants to undergo medical checks to guarantee they are fit for office.