Lungu mourns medical giant

Sat, 06 May 2017 13:30:43 +0000

By KALOBWE BWALYA 

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has described the late Professor Chifumbe Chintu as a determined and exceptional hard worker who dedicated his life to public service as seen by the tremendous and significant contribution he made to the creation of the School of Medicine at the University of Zambia and the Department of Paediatrics at the University Teaching Hospital.

President Lungu expressed his profound sadness at the demise of Zambia’s acclaimed medical practitioner, researcher and lecturer who died at the age of 79 on Thursday at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH).

In a message of condolences to the Chintu family, President Lungu extolled Prof Chintu for his ‘‘unequalled loyalty and distinguished service’’ to the medical profession not only in Zambia but also the African continent and the world in general.

The Head of State said not only was Prof Chintu instrumental in the development of the School of Medicine and the Paediatrics department, but he also exhibited distinguished leadership qualities through the several positions that he held in the medical profession, among them the position of Dean of the School of Medicine at the University of Zambia over a period of years.

President Lungu extended his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family, saying the country and in particular the medical fraternity has lost a dedicated and passionate public service worker who put the lives of others first.

The President prayed that the bereaved family would draw comfort and strength from the Almighty God as they mourn their beloved relative.

The President has since accorded Prof Chintu an official funeral and directed Cabinet Office to put in place all logistical arrangements for the funeral.

“The country and in particular the medical fraternity has lost a dedicated and passionate public service worker who put the lives of others first. On behalf of the Zambian Government, the people and indeed on my own behalf, I wish to convey my heartfelt sympathies to the Chintu family.

‘‘My prayer is that as they mourn, may they find comfort and strength from the Almighty God,” the President said.