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Sifelani Tsiko
The body of Dr Nelson Okwanga, a renowned specialist physician who died in Harare on August 11 after battling Covid-19, was expected to be flown to Uganda yesterday for burial.
The veteran physician, who served in Zimbabwe for nearly four decades, died at the age of 74.
Dr Martin Odwee, a close relative, is said to have secured all documentation for the remains to be repatriated to Uganda.
“His remains will be airlifted on Sunday (yesterday) accompanied by his son Nigel and a friend to Entebbe in Uganda,” he said in a notice to the medical fraternity and close relatives.
A virtual farewell church service was held on Saturday at an Anglican Church in Harare. Dr Okwanga will be laid to rest in the rural district of Aber in Uganda.
“This has been a long, tragic and expensive exercise and the Okwanga family appreciates deeply your patience and generosity,” Dr Odwee said.
“We have come to the end of this road for our beloved Nelson. Your generosity has been overwhelming, but so are the costs.”
Messages of condolences poured in from all over the world following the loss of a selfless and committed physician who cared so much for his patients and the continent he served.
“He was a very professional person who mentored a number of doctors here in Zimbabwe,” said a member of the National Physician Association of Zimbabwe. “Dr Okwanga taught many of us and his research works speak volumes of his commitment to the practice of medicine.
“We have lost a father, a mentor and teacher.
“It’s so sad that Covid is claiming a number of our specialised professionals. It’s going to be difficult to replace them.”
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who is also Minister of Health and Child Care, described Dr Okwanga as a dedicated doctor with interest in diabetes.
“He has left an indelible mark in the medical field as a specialist physician with interest in diabetes,” he said in his condolence message. “Dr Okwanga was a good doctor and advisor, a humble, loving family man, a golfer, keen fisherman, a loyal friend endowed with a huge heart, ‘famous’ DJ, and loved by millions of friends.
Dr Okwanga was born on April 2 in 1947 in Aduku, Kwania County, Lango in Uganda. He did his primary and secondary education in Uganda before moving to study a medical degree in the UK.
He graduated in 1974 at the University of Manchester in the UK.
Dr Okwanga, who was popularly known in social circles as “Mhofu” (eland totem name in Zimbabwe) worked in various medical institutions in the UK before he came to Zimbabwe in 1983 to work as a specialist physician at Harare Central Hospital, now Sally Mugabe Central Hospital.
He was the first black physician at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare soon after the country gained its independence in 1980. From 1984, he worked as a specialist physician at Parirenyatwa Hospital and taught at the University of Zimbabwe Medical School.
After nearly 30 years of service, Dr Okwanga retired in April 2012 and operated a private surgery at West End Clinic in Harare treating patients with disorders of the endocrine system such as diabetes and other conditions.
Dr Okwanga was married to Ester Loveness (now late), and the couple had three children.
He is survived by his son Nigel.
Online Reporter