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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
We are already making plans to honour 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.