Hundreds of mourners Tuesday gathered at the Kanifing Estate central mosque to pay their last respects to Dr Mamo Jawla, former national professional officer for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, who passed away in
The remains of the late Dr Jawla, who hailed from Kunting village in the Central River Region, were finally laid to rest at the Kanifing cemetery, where people from all walks of life gathered.
Born on 1952, Dr Jawla served his entire life working for the health sector before joining the World Health Organisation in 2004.
He one time served as the head of the National Malaria Control Programme of the country, where he was credited for significantly contributing towards the upliftment of the programme.
Speaking to hundreds of mourners at the Kanifing Estate mosque, Imam Baba Leigh described the late Dr Jawla as a pious Muslim, noting that he was someone who cared for humanity during his life time.
Professor Dr Omar Jah senior of the Sheikh Abdoulie Jah Foundation said the foundation cares for the under-privileged who need medical care, adding that their support is extended to remote areas, where medical care is hard to reach.
Professor Jah stated that when the foundation was established in the
"Allah will reward Dr Jawla for the good services he has done for his nation," Professor Jah said, while praying for the departed soul to rest in peace.
Halifa Sallah, who was also among the gathering, described Dr Jawla as a good and humble neighbour, who spent all his life in taking good care of the health of the people. "I could remember that one day when my father was sick, I called Dr Jawla to take care of him but surprisingly, after he took good care of the old man, I wanted to pay him but he rejected the payment," Halifa said, adding that to his surprise, Dr Jawla came the following day to check on his father's health condition.
Halifa noted that the nation has lost a great man.
Some of the relatives of the late Dr Jawla from his native village of Kunting in the Central River Region also spoke at the mosque, and they said "it is not the people of Niani who lost a good son, but the entire country".
They also noted that the late Dr Jawla was someone who generously cared for the welfare and development of his people.
Also among the gathering were senior government officials, including Omar Sey, deputy permanent secretary for Technical, Ministry of Health, directors, members of the UN family in the
The late Dr Jawla is survived by two wives and children.