Former Health Minister Kasonde interred

President Edgar Lungu has described the late former Health Minister Joseph Kasonde as a dedicated and highly qualified professional who served the country with distinction.

Speaking during the requiem mass for Dr Kasonde at St Ignatius Catholic Church in Lusaka today, President Lungu lamented that the country has lost a a true statesman who committed his life to the cause of seeing a healthy and productive people.

“Dr Kasonde was a dedicated and highly qualified professional. He served this country with distinction. He tremendously contributed to the development of the country’s health care policies and public health management, as well as health legislation,” President Lungu said. “The nation has lost a true statesman who committed his life to the cause of seeing a healthy and productive people. The medical fraternity has indeed lost an individual who had great passion to serving communities with commitment to a clean, caring, and competent environment, the three Cs as famously referred to them.”

The Head of State conveyed his condolences to the Kasonde family and to the health sector on behalf of Zambians.

“Let me on behalf of my government convey our deepest condolences to the family of late Dr Kasonde, the former Minister of Health who served his country with sufficient honour and success. ,” President Lungu said.

President Lungu also said that Dr Kasonde’s selfless commitment to the medical profession was clearly evident in the various capacities he served.

Using his privileged background, Dr. Kasonde pursued very high standards in everything he did. He did not seek narrow interests or defend his privilege, but always wanted to spread privilege!

“He played a pivotal role in transforming the health sector when he was nominated Member of Parliament and appointed cabinet Minister for the Ministry of health, on 29th September, 2011, by the Late President, His Excellency Mr. Michael Chilufya Sata, a position he held until 2016. As Minister of Health, Dr. Kasonde performed his duties with diligence and a rare sense of commitment, which should be emulated by all medical practitioners and the public service at large,” said President Lungu.

And Dr Kasonde’s wife Mary Kasonde said her husband was not only a family man but also a true leader of the nation who performed his duties whole heartedly.

Mrs Kasonde said this in a speech read on her behalf by Dorothy Kasanda.

Dr Kasonde, 79, who died on August 25, 2017 following a long battle with liver cancer, is survived by a wife and five children and several grandchildren.