Seasoned researcher and Director of Resource Mobilization at the Ifakara Health Institute, Dr. Prosper Chaki, has been laid to final rest at his Lipangalala home village in Ifakara, Morogoro Region, Tanzania. Hundreds of mourners – including family members, colleagues, Ifakara management, staff, and friends – attended the burial service, which was led by Catholic priest Fr. Stephen Kadiro of Liganga Church.

Earlier on, a memorial service was also held at Dr. Chaki’s Lipangalala residence in Ifakara, bringing together family, friends, and community members for prayers and reflections on his life and legacy.

During the church service, messages of condolence and remembrance were shared by loved ones, close friends, and key figures in Dr. Chaki’s life, including the Chief Executive Director of the Ifakara Health Institute, Dr. Honorati Masanja.

In his message, Dr. Masanja said Dr. Chaki’s contributions to Ifakara, particularly his research work, had a profound and lasting impact on communities in Tanzania and beyond. Colleagues and partners, from Ifakara, PAMCA, the Ministry of Health and more, who worked with Dr. Chaki over the years also paid tribute to his lifelong commitment to public health, particularly in malaria control.

Leading these tributes was a longtime friend and colleague, Prof. Nicodemus Govella – also from Ifakara, who remembered Dr. Chaki as a true team player, reflecting on a lifelong professional and personal journey they shared.

“We first met in high school, later pursued our master’s degrees together at the University of Durham, and went on to undertake our PhD training at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine in the UK,” Prof. Govella recalled adding, “following our studies, we made a pact to return to our home country, Tanzania, driven by a common commitment to apply our expertise to address the health challenges facing our nation.”

In other tributes, Dr. Yeromin Mlacha, Dr. Dickson Lwetoijera, Dr. Ally Olotu, and Dr. Marceline Finda—his colleagues at Ifakara—described Dr. Chaki as an irreplaceable figure, a mentor who consistently encouraged his colleagues to strive for excellence, and a close friend and team player who never presumed to know better. Notably, he was admired for his humility and integrity.

These gatherings across multiple locations — in Dar es Salaam, Morogoro, and Ifakara — reflect the deep respect, admiration, and gratitude held for Dr. Chaki’s contributions to public health, research, and community development in Tanzania.

Dr. Chaki passed away on 24 January 2026 at Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar es Salaam.