The
death of Dr Ebrahima Malick Samba, former Africa regional director of the World
Health Organization, 1995 to 2005, was announced on Thursday and he was buried
on Friday. It is Allah that gives and Allah has taken him away from us; such a
direction all of us shall surely take. So we accept the plan of the almighty
Allah for our lives.
In
respect of his service to mankind, especially to the people of Africa, it will
be very difficult to forget such a son of the soil, who positively affect the
lives of countless numbers of Gambians through his support to their education,
health and social wellbeing, as well as his service to humanity through his
work at the RVTH and at the World Health Organisation (WHO). Dr Samba, 90, was
president of the Banjul Muslim Elders.
For
his selfless service to mankind, Dr Samba was designated Regional Director
Emeritus by the 54th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa.
In
a tribute to Dr Samba, current WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr Sambo said:
“I would like to recognize and thank you immensely for the work you have done
in the WHO Regional Office and for the African Region as you pushed the
frontiers of health for all Africans everywhere. You are leaving behind many
tangible and measurable achievements.”
The
new Regional Director praised his predecessor for his vision, courage, openness
and pragmatism as well as for his strong commitment to the eradication or
elimination of such public health threats as river blindness, polio and female
genital mutilation.
Dr
Samba is also widely recognised for his service to mankind that the New
York-based International Health Medical Education Consortium (IHMEC) also
selected him for a Distinguished Service Award, an award bestowed on
“individuals recognised for their outstanding and dedicated leadership in international
health”.
“This
Award is in recognition of your extraordinary achievements in improving the
health of all Africans, and for your outstanding leadership and tireless
commitment to the fight against diseases of poverty plaguing Africa. Your work
is a source of inspiration and hope for us who are dedicated to equity in
global health,” IHMEC’s President Dr David Hunt said upon the presentation of
the ward to Dr Samba.
Dr
Samba, whose career in international public health spans over four decades,
also won in 1992 the prestigious Africa Prize of the Hunger Project for his
exceptional leadership in the management of the Ouagadougou-based
Onchorcerciasis Control Programme (OCP) into its final stage in eradicating
river blindness in 11 oncho-endemic countries in West Africa.
A
Gambian, this son of Africa once shared his views on Africa’s health
predicament and how it needs the attention and support of the world, with the
media group Africa Recovery (now called Africa Renewal).
Dr
Samba said: “It is common sense for the non-Africans in the developed world to
help Africa fight against… infectious diseases.... The more Africans are
supported to fight against the diseases that plague Africa today, the greater
the security of the developed world.”
Indeed,
Dr Samba has physically left us, but his selfless service and its imprints in
the sands of time, embellished with his generosity to humanity both at home and
abroad, and his good spirit will continue to live with us, even as the annals
of history continue to keep track of what he has done for humanity. Have a
peaceful rest – Dr Samba!
“Dr
Ebrima Malick Samba is ever living”
The
Point
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