BMF Partners Mourns H.E Mkapa

The Benjamin
Mkapa Foundation (BMF) partners have come together to mourn the death of its Founder and Settlor Benjamin Mkapa whom they
eulogised as a brilliant public servant who dedicated his entire adult life in
serving his country.

Mkapa the former
Tanzanian President, died on July 23 in Dar es Salaam and his body was laid to
rest in his home village Lupaso
in Masasi District on July 29 this year.

With the partners they paid tribute to the
third phase president saying his brainchild idea of establishing the Foundation
has immensely improved lives of millions of Tanzanians, and particular health
of people in rural areas.

In its condolence message, Compass Technical
Team in Tanzania, said President Mkapa has contributed a lot in strengthening
health systems and in admirable ways, benefited many nationals.

For
Tanzania Network of Women Living with HIV and AIDS Executive Director, Joan
Chamungu Msuya, Tanzania has lost a brilliant servant, who dedicated his entire adult life serving his
beloved nation with dignity and excellence.

She said Mkapa will be remembered by many things
including championing the fight against HIV and AIDS in Africa.

Dr. Redemptia Mbatia from Tanzania Health Promotion
Support (THPS) said her organization joins the BMF to fly the vision of the
great leader of the nation.

The World Health Organization
(WHO) Director, Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases Dr. Mwele
Malecela described President Mkapa as a true statesman and transformational
leader.

 “His legacy lives on through the
institutions he built and systems he put in place … in his retirement he
played a critical role in advancing the health workforce agenda … He is one
of the giants whose shoulders we stood on,” Dr Malecela said.

In his
condolences the Executive Director of Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) Dr. Honorathi
Masanja said “another great son of Africa has fallen” and prayed for
his soul to rest in eternal peace.

Jane
Miller – OBE from the Department for International Development (DFID) said the
work being done by BMF is an amazing legacy to his commitment to the Tanzanians

 Dr. Josephine Ballart from CSSC said BMF has
lost a guardian and a leader praying for his soul to rest in eternal peace.

 In her condolence message Dr. Marina Njelekela
from USAID Boresha Afya Southern Zone Program said that Mkapa has left a legacy
that will never be forgotten as a visionary and a true African leader, who
embraced health issues fully to the extent of formulating BMF that is a health-related
Foundation.

The
Ariel Glaser Pediatric AIDS Healthcare Initiative (AGPAHI)’s Dr. Sekela
Mwakyusa consoled BMF saying Mkapa has left behind a lot of things thanking God
for his life.

Angela
Makota from Save the Children consoled the entire BMF team for the loss of
their Fonder.

The
Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) said the AIDS response has
lost one of its most committed champions. “He was a patron of BMF which he
reached millions of Tanzanians and continues to improve rural health services.

The
list also included taking health services to the grassroots, especially for the
well being of women, men and children including people living and affected by
HIV,” reads part of the message.

Embassy
of Ireland Chargé d’affaires, Adrian Fitzgerald said Mkapa was a remarkable man
who cared deeply for his people and his beloved Tanzania. “His legacy
includes the great work of BMF…our most sincere condolences to the people of
Tanzania for this terrible loss and in particular to the family and his friends
at this very sad time.”

The
Minister for Health, Community Development, Gender Elderly and Children Ms Ummy
Mwalimu Mkapa spirit will continue to live in the hearts of many Tanzanians
especially those in the health sector.

She
said that even after his retirement as president, Mkapa continued to contribute
in improving the health sector, adding: “Through BMF you have facilitated the
construction of houses for health personnel  
especially in regions with dire need of health workers including Katavi,
Kigoma, Rukwa, Songwe, Tabora and Simiyu.”

For
the former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Dr. Donan Mbando, the sad
news of Mkapa’s death was a shock, particularly because the country has lost
its Founding father.