In the past, his administration has denied rumors by cabinet members about his declining health, maintaining that Sata was fine and busy at work. 
Awali, serikali ilikanusha tetesi zilizokuwa zikienezwa na baadhi ya mawaziri kuhusiana na kuzorota kwa afya yake, ikisema kwamba Sata alikuwa imara na akiendelea na kazi.