During the memorial service of Dr. Prosper Chaki, colleagues, friends, partners, and family gathered to honour the life and legacy of a distinguished malaria researcher and public health leader whose work left a lasting impact in Tanzania and beyond.

Dr. Yeromin Mlacha, a colleague and close friend, read the obituary and reflected on Dr. Chaki’s early life and professional journey, tracing his career back to Ifakara in the early 2000s, where he began as a research assistant. Through dedication and excellence, Dr. Chaki steadily rose through the ranks to become Chief Research Scientist, earning the respect and admiration of colleagues along the way.

Dr. Honorati Masanja, Chief Executive Director of the Ifakara Health Institute, described Dr. Chaki as a pillar of hope to all who worked with him, noting that the Institute greatly benefited from his presence and leadership. He called on staff to support one another during this difficult time and concluded by praying that Dr. Chaki’s soul rest in eternal peace.

Condolences from the scientific and public health community

On behalf of the Pan-African Mosquito Control Association (PAMCA), Ifakara scientist Dr. Samson Kiware conveyed condolences from colleagues and collaborators who were unable to attend the service. Speaking on behalf of partners and collaborators, he emphasized that Dr. Chaki was deeply loved and admired and described him as a valuable asset to every team and institution he served.

These sentiments were echoed by Mr. Frank Chacky from the Ministry of Health, who spoke of how fortunate the Ministry was to work with Dr. Chaki over several years. He highlighted Dr. Chaki’s involvement in multiple malaria programmes and his exceptional ability to translate research data into evidence that informed decision-making. Mr. Chacky noted that Dr. Chaki’s impact was felt both within and beyond Tanzania and that his absence has left a significant gap in the public health community.

Tributes from colleagues on Ifakara's LinkedIn

Prof. Sarah Moore, Head of the Vector Control and Product Testing Unit at Ifakara, expressed her sadness on Ifakara’s LinkedIn page, noting that Prosper made a profound impact on those around him, both scientifically and personally, and that his legacy will continue through the many colleagues and students he supported. She shared that he will be deeply missed and expressed gratitude for the kindness he showed her when she first arrived in Tanzania, describing him as a truly lovely human being.

Dr. Sally Mtenga, a researcher at Ifakara, also reflected on her interactions with Dr. Chaki, saying that he always took time to listen before sharing his thoughts and opinions. She noted that she valued every conversation they had and felt fortunate to call him her friend, adding that there are countless wonderful ways to describe Dr. Prosper.

Dr. Mahende's eulogy

Dr. Muhidin Mahende penned a heartfelt eulogy for Dr. Chaki, honoring his life, leadership, and legacy. He described him as a brilliant scientist, trusted mentor, and servant of communities whose work transformed malaria research and touched countless lives.

From the field to policy tables, from mentoring young scientists to shaping national and global impact—Dr. Mahende described Dr. Chaki as a true mentor who "led with humility, integrity, and unwavering belief in people."

Messages from global partners and collaborators

The Innovative Vector Control Consortium (IVCC) expressed deep sadness over the passing of Dr. Chaki, describing him as a respected collaborator at IHI whose dedication, humility, and wisdom touched everyone he worked with. The consortium highlighted his strong commitment to mentorship, which helped shape the next generation of scientists in malaria research and beyond.

Dr. Graham Small, the recently retired Senior Technical Manager at IVCC, also shared his condolences, noting that he had known Dr. Chaki from the early stages of his career and that it was clear even then that he was destined for great things.

A family’s gratitude

The memorial service concluded with remarks from Dr. Chaki’s family, who expressed their sincere appreciation for the outpouring of support, solidarity, and compassion shown during this time of loss.

May his soul rest in eternal peace.