9. Yes No Partial X The contact details of specific public officials? Additional information The website has the Permanent Secretary’s email address. X 10. A mechanism to request and receive responses to electronic messages and requests for information? Total score: 10/20 CATEGORY 2: REQUEST FOR INFORMATION A request for the following information was sent to the Ministry of Health: Do hospitals have sufficient medical supplies to help fight the pandemic? How many medical personnel have been deployed to cushion the Medical Personnel Human Resource? What is the current value of donations received towards the COVID-19 fight? How well do you think the country is handling this pandemic? y y y y n = 20 Yes No Partial Additional information X 1. Is there an official, who is designated to take and respond to information requests? 2. Did the organisation reply within 21 days? X 3. Did the organisation respond to the request for information? X 4. Does the organisation publish their procedures for handling information requests? X 5. Did the organisation provide all of the requested information? X 6. Did the organisation provide written reasons for the refusal of information? 7. Did the organisation disclose information about its operations, budgets, structure, etc. X 8. Did the authority provide information without questioning the aims and motivations of the applicant? X 9. Did the organisation acknowledge the request for information within 7 days? X When the researcher followed up on her request, she was told that she needed backing from her organisation before she could be given the information. X 10. Was the information received clear and understandable? X Total score: 6/20 RETURN TO CONTENTS PAGE 174 ZAMBIA n = 20