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Madame Friquette Tata, wife of Dr Richard Mouzoko;
His children Margaret, Simon, Emmanuelle, and
Nathan;
Madam Mouzoko Elizabeth, Dr Richard’s mother, his
sisters and brothers;
Your Excellency, the Minister of Public Health;
Your Excellency, Governor of the Central Region;
Your Excellency, the Prefect of the Department of
Mbam and Inoubou;
Your Excellency, Mayor of Bafia;
The Regional Delegate of Public Health for the
Central Region;
Dr Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa;
Madam Resident Coordinator of the United Nations
System;
Distinguished guests, friends of Dr Richard, ladies
and gentlemen,
It is with a heavy heart and enormous sadness that I stand before
you today. I share
your grief
at Dr Richard’s passing.
This young, intelligent and
hard-working doctor was mowed down in the prime of life, while
working to alleviate the suffering of people threatened by the
Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Condolences
I would like on my own behalf, on behalf of Dr Moeti, and on
behalf of the entire staff of the World Health Organization, to
extend our deepest condolences to you all. The passing of Dr
Richard is an enormous loss for WHO and the people of DRC he was
serving when his life was so brutally and senselessly taken away.
The Loss
It’s also an enormous loss for Cameroon. Dr Richard
was a proud son of this nation, and you are right to be proud of
him. I thank the government of Cameroon for its support of the
Ebola response, and for its support for Dr Richard’s family.
Because it’s for them that the loss is the greatest. They have
lost a husband, a father, a son, a brother. Our hearts go out to
you all.
Co-Workers
In Butembo, where I visited last Saturday, I spoke
with his colleagues and friends. They were still in a state of
shock at his passing. Those he cared for are horrified by this
terrible act; an act that we cannot condemn strongly enough. But
what our colleagues said humbled and inspired me. They said,
“We’re lifesavers. We will not be intimidated by violence. We will
finish the job.” Their bravery and courage is awe-inspiring.
Example of Service
That same
commitment to the service of others was the defining mark of Dr
Richard’s life. He put himself in harm’s way so that children,
families and communities at risk of Ebola could receive the care,
support and dignity they deserve. He served as an example to all
who had the privilege of working with him. Dr Richard made the
ultimate sacrifice. But that sacrifice will not be in vain. It is
thanks to people like him that we have made progress against
Ebola, and it is thanks to people like him that the epidemic will
be defeated.
Exceptional
Human Being
In looking through
the pages of his life, I was struck by the fact that very early he
knew what he wanted to be, and what he wanted to do: to serve the
sick, the most vulnerable, the poor, to help them survive and
thrive. His professional and personal career, as described by his
parents, friends and colleagues, paints the portrait of an
exceptional human being. These many qualities make our distress
even more profound. Richard had so much more to give. Thousands of
people have been deprived of his talents.
To Madam Friquette
Tata, and your children, I look forward to having Madam Friquette
and their first child Margaret at the WHO Assembly in Geneva in
two weeks. Dr Moeti and I have come here today to support you in
this painful and difficult ordeal. We have come to tell you how
deeply this terrible event affects us. We are at your side to join
our voices and our thoughts to those who came to bring you their
comfort.
Honor At The
Assembly
We are already
making plans to honor Richard at the World Health Assembly in
Geneva later this month. Dr Richard, WHO will never forget you.
You will remain for us all an example, a hero, and a light for
future generations. Goodbye, my brother. Rest in peace. Adieu, mon
frère. Repose en paix.
Delivered by WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
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