It was with great sadness that we learnt of the passing of Dr Margaret Mungherera on 4 February 2017 from colon cancer. As a network of healthcare professionals working in the United Kingdom, we would like to extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends and colleagues.

Dr Mungherera, as chairman of the World Medical Association, recognised the important contribution that diaspora can make towards strengthening healthcare systems in Africa. As such, she has supported us since the inception of our organisation through mentoring, speaking at our events, and reminding us of the role that we have to play in our countries of origin.

In 2013, we honoured her as she became President-Elect of the World Medical Association (WMA); she in turn challenged us as Africans in the diaspora to “influence changes in policies affecting African development, both in Africa and abroad.”

In 2014, she was a keynote speaker at our conference titled: “Can the Diaspora impact Africa’s Health? From Brain Drain to Brain Gain,” and spoke to us about our role in strengthening healthcare leadership through stronger medical associations, in order to develop robust governance of healthcare institutions and systems in Africa.

In 2016 we celebrated again with her, when we learnt of her election to the chair-elect of the International Association of Medical Regulatory Authorities (IAMRA). She remained an inspirational leader, who continually challenged us with her vision of better healthcare provision for Africans.

Dr Mungherera’s death is a great loss to the African medical community; however, she would not want us to remain in mourning, but to get up and continue the work that she began, in order to achieve her vision. We celebrate her life and her achievements. May her soul rest in Eternal Peace.