Tue, 09 May 2017 12:24:47 +0000
By SIMON MUNTEMBA
GOVERNMENT has eulogized Professor Chifumbe Chintu for his commitment and contributions towards improving the medical profession in Zambia and promised to protect his legacy.
Speaking during memorial church service in honour of late Prof Chintu at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka yesterday, Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya said the late Professor raised the standards of medical profession in Zambia through his hard work.
Dr Chilufya said government recognized the immense contributions that Professor Chintu rendered in a quest for quality service delivery.
He said the Professor was a guru of paediatrics and hematology and worked tirelessly to ensure that many lives were saved.
“As an academician, he did not limit himself to book knowledge rather he was dedicated to the practice of providing care for his patients. And as government, we will ensure that what he believed in is protected”, Dr. Chilufya said.
The Health Minister further said every doctor Professor Chintu taught was now a frontline health changer.
‘He can simply be described as the father of paediatrics and child health in Zambia who was also a mentor to the medical profession. In fact, he taught a lot of us and I’m one of his former students”, the health Minister said.
He said the late professor brought to the fore foundational medical skills for excellence, hard work, integrity at work, ethical guiding profession, leadership and a high unique sense of humour.
And speaking at the same occasion, first Zambia republican President Kenneth Kaunda described Professor Chintu as a generous man who greatly contributed to humanity.
Dr Kaunda said Prof. Chintu was a dedicated servant of people who valued his privileged heritage with unique sense of humour.
Professor Rodrick Chifumbe Chintu 79, is survived by a wife of 49 years Mwate Catherine Nampembwa, three children and three grandchildren.
He died on May 4, 2 at the University of Zambia after a short illness and was put to rest yesterday at Leopards Hill Memorial Park cemetery in Lusaka.
