By Andrew H. Phiri
THE death of Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Administration John Moyo has robbed the public service of a distinct administrator whose service will be greatly missed in the health sector.
Death struck John Moyo on Friday night after the vehicle he was driving lost control hence ending his life on earth. His death has caused sorrow and grief in many after his touching of lives in different ways.
His influence in the civil service has been evidenced by scores of people who turned out to pay his last respect.
Addressing scores of mourners at the funeral service, Republican Vice President Inonge Wina said that it was shocking to receive the news of the death of Mr Moyo, who she interacted with the very last day of his life. “I was panicking at Parliament in readiness for the question time” she narrated “Mr. Moyo quickly came to parliament building to update me on the outbreaks like typhoid. It was the last time I interacted with him”
Born on 30th November, 1969 in Chingangeni Village of Chipata District, Eastern Province, the departed John Moyo goes down as one of the transformative administrators in the country, as he leaves behind a story that starting as a personnel’s officer is but the beginning of an amazing journey to success.
His death is today read as a thriller penned down in the eyes of the readers. For others, it is an epic acted in the presence of viewers leaving everyone who knew him lost in unbelief.
Mr. Moyo was married to Mathilda. He leaves behind a boy and two girls.
In her tribute to her late husband, Mathilda moaned that death had taken her husband who was committed to family and work.
“My love, you always told me Gods time is the best.” Said Mathilda in a tribute read on her behalf.
Mr. Moyo will be remembered as a father figure in the eyes of colleagues and friends as he offered counsel to others. “I had a very big challenge at one point.” Testified Dr. Mpuma Kamanga of the Ministry of Health “The Late Moyo sat me down and offered me real counsel when I needed it most, I remember him as a counsellor”
Mr. John Moyo, joined the public service as an Assistant Personnel Officer in 1995 in the Ministry of Health and was later on transferred and promoted as Personnel Officer to Public Service Commission in 1998.
He kept on climbing the ladder, one step at a time. This explains his vast experience in administration having risen from grass to glory.
Moyo was promoted to the position of Administrative Officer in the Ministry of Science, Technology and Vocational Training. In his continued movements, he was reassigned to the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives as Chief Human Resources Officer.
He was later promoted to the position of Assistant Director- Human Resource Management and Development in the Ministry of Education in 2009.
He later served as Director of Human Resources and Administrations between 2010 and 2014 in the Ministries of Tourism; Information and Broadcasting; Local Government and Housing and; Education, Science and Vocational Training.
In 2014, he was moved to the Ministry of Health as Director Human Resources and Administration.
Due to his diligence and commitment to work, Mr. Moyo was in November 2016, appointed Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health responsible for Administration by Republican President Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, and served thus to the day he breathed his last.
Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya confirmed that the Ministry has lost a distinguished administrator was committed to entrenching strong systems in the health sector.
“He was my best friend” said Dr. Chilufya, “He was a reformed architect of a strong health system”
No doubt, the body of late John Moyo goes down with its vast knowledge and experience base that made him a rare being. He was buried at Memorial Park in Lusaka.
Many officers who worked closely with him have described the fallen administrator as an inspiration and a trendsetter in many facets of work.
And a Mr. Sikazwe as a family friend has described the late Moyo as a humble man who was true to family relations.
Mr. John Moyo was part of the transformation agenda that the Ministry of Health is currently pursuing in its quest to promote health thereby preventing diseases all-around. The process also aims at achieving health in all policies.
He will be remembered for his energy, knowledge and experience, qualities that formed a great combination in his work. His humor and touch has left a big gap in his immediate family and health sector.
