A frontline health worker and committed community volunteer has passed away from coronavirus in Tanzania.
Mr. Fayyaz Mohammedtaqi was head of outreach at Agha Khan Health Services (AKHS) hospitals in Dar es Salaam.
He will be remembered for his commitment, perseverance and charismatic leadership, strong support and dedication.
Working selflessly
Colleagues yesterday urged hospital staff to honour his memory by “staying united and working selflessly for providing care to many of our patients who depend on us.”
They added: “This is the time to be strong!”
Mr. Mohammedtaqi was respected by government officials but more importantly led the establishment of outreach health centres that have benefited thousands of patients. He was also a generous mentor.
In a letter to colleagues, Sulaiman Shahabuddin and Sisawo Konteh from AKHS wrote: “It is with profound sadness that we inform you of the sudden demise of our colleague Mr. Fayyaz Mohammedtaqi (may his soul rest in eternal peace) who passed away at our hospital. Fayyaz was a senior, well experienced and extremely important member of our Senior Leadership Team as Head for Outreach Health Centres and PMCs.
Thousands of patients
“He joined the hospital in 2006 as Manager, Pharmacy and was instrumental in establishing the pharmacy services that today serve as a benchmark across many of our hospitals; and in establishing mutually beneficial linkages with the external agencies including the relevant government departments where he was equally respected.
“His commitment, perseverance and charismatic leadership enabled him to quickly grow within the organisation taking on additional and more challenging responsibilities, including Senior Manager, Allied Health in 2014.
“In 2016 Fayyaz was promoted to the position of Head for Outreach Health Centres and PMCs. He led the successful opening, setting and active running of several Outreach Health Centres in Dar es Salaam which as we know have benefited many thousands of patients. We know that he effectively played the role of a mentor for many of his Pharmacy service colleagues and other managers within our health system.
Good memories
“Whilst each one of us at Agha Khan Health Services, Tanzania and East Africa will miss him dearly, we reach out to his family in this very difficult time. We pray that the peace which comes from good memories and shared love comforts them now and in the days and years ahead.
“We pray that Fayyaz’s soul may rest in eternal peace. We offer our prayers for strength and courage to his family and friends.”
The time to be strong
Regional CEO Mr. Shahabuddin and Chief Operating Officer Mr. Konteh ended their letter: “At a personal level both of us will dearly miss Fayyaz for his friendship, leadership, strong support and dedication to AKHS. This is time to honour his memory by staying united and working selflessly for providing care to many of our patients who depend on us. This is the time to be strong!”
The Aga Khan Health Services in East Africa comprises three secondary and tertiary care hospitals and 26 other comprehensive care and outpatient health care facilities in Kenya and Tanzania. Each year it provides outpatient care to over 600,000 patients and admits approximately 20,000 patients.
Mr. Mohammedtaqi passed away on 2 May.
