Top news items in major Zambian media outlets

The following are the highlights of Zambia's major media outlets on Thursday

-- Zambia's President Edgar Lungu has defended a decision to increase his salary, saying he deserves it.

Lungu said he was being paid his salary and allowances because of the good work he was doing for the country and the people and told opposition leaders to appreciate what he was doing.

Lungu has come under attack for increasing his salary, the third time since winning last year's elections. (Zambia Daily Mail)

-- Zambia's biggest referral hospital is facing a critical oxygen crisis following the breakdown of its oxygen plant.

University Teaching Hospital Public Relations Manager Mwenya Mulenga said the oxygen plant broke down more than two weeks ago forcing the largest health institution situated in Lusaka, the country's capital to procure the live-saving gas from commercial gas suppliers at high cost.(DAILY NATION)

-- The Zambian government has expressed concerns about the high level of corruption in the issuance of work permits and related documents to foreigners by immigration officials.

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Gerry Chanda said the government was disappointed that some immigration officers mandated to handle migration services were in the forefront of promoting corruption instead of assisting to root out the vice. (Zambia Daily Mai