Mozambique: Teachers threaten to boycott classes of over 100 pupils in the same room - Watch
Photo: O País
Former president of Mozambique Joaquim Chissano celebrated his 80th birthday with children in Maputo Central Hospital yesterday, and spoke about the improvement and growth of health services in the country and peace.
Grandpa Dambuza was born on October 22, 1939, in Malehice, in the Chibuto district of Gaza province. The birthday boy was the first democratically elected president in the country.
Calm, serene and always true to himself, Chissano wanted this year to celebrate his birthday differently. Not with the family, but with the children being treated at the Hemato-Oncology Ward of the largest health unit in the country.
With characteristic humility, Dambuza shared hugs and kisses with the little ones and distributed flowers. There were stories, gifts and pictures painted by the hospitalised children.
After the cake cutting and Happy Birthdays to Grandpa Dambuza, he highlighted in his speech to the children, their caregivers and health personnel, the improvement of health services in the country.
“What you hear out there about health services has nothing to do with what we find here. This is progress (…). We must ensure that the continuers [the little ones] are in good health. This is just an example of all the effort that goes into creating a new generation free of disease. A generation which will enjoy better health care.”
Chissano is considered a great Mozambican who gave his life to the welfare of his country and the world.
Chissano told his listeners that, as a child, he had learned from his mother that he had once travelled 18 kilometres to access health services.
Ana Lúcia, one of the children being treated at HCM, had the task of reading a message from all the children, and wished the former head of state good health. “We are thrilled that you are celebrating and cutting your birthday cake here with us today. This shows that you are a very good and special grandpa,” the teenager said.
Chissano also shared a dream he and his wife held dear: to see a hospital specialising in paediatric care built in the country.
Visiting the HCM maternity ward, Chissano offered sets of clothing to two babies born there yesterday. A young nurse, also celebrating her birthday, received hugs and kisses from the former Mozambican statesman.
About general elections
Former president Chissano advised that we calmly and serenely wait for the proclamation by the competent entities of the results of the elections of the 15th of the month. “I used to run for election, and I learned to keep quiet” until the authorities proclaimed the results, he said.
Chissano also said that it is necessary to sow peace and cultivate it for the country to enjoy.
By Amândio Borges
Leave a Reply
Be the First to Comment!
You must be logged in to post a comment.
You must be logged in to post a comment.