Late Dr Sir Reuben Taureka -health pioneer – who spent a lifetime in Government, politics and community service, was farewelled from Port Moresby with a memorial service at the Rev Sioni Kami Memorial Church yesterday by about 300 mourners, among whom were Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, Health Minister, Sir Puka Temu, who represented the government, and Kerenga Kua, the MP for Sinasina-Yongomugl, who not only represented the Opposition but the Highlands region judging by the deceased’s record of service as a medical professional.

Sir Michael was obviously taken by surprise by the passing of an old friend because he awarded a Golden Jubilee Award posthumously to family members at the memorial. Sir Michael described late Dr Sir Reuben, as a person who steadied and guided those who were dreaming of independence.

Sir Puka took the opportunity to pay tribute to famous Papua New Guinean sons in the health fraternity, who, like Sir Reuben, were the architects of the health system the country has today. He said late Dr Sir Reuben worked in many places in PNG as a medical doctor after graduating from the Fiji Medical School and later held the post of secretary for health.

Dr Sir Reuben will be remembered as a person who involved himself in every way that epitomises the birth of a nation and lived a life of achievements. He married a Fijian woman whose brother, now the Fiji High Commissioner to PNG, Sekove Naqiolevu, delivered the euology.

The diplomat told an endearing story of how Papua New Guineans were not allowed to buy white rice and that the district officer in Samarai made an exception for Dr Taureka’s wife because she was not a native of Papua and New Guinea.

Next Thursday – the life and example of Dr Sir Reuben Taureka.