Michael Meegan, the International Director of ICROSS and New World International, has been a lifelong friend and colleague of David Morley's. Six years ago he shared David’s special address to mark his 80th birthday. In May, and only weeks before he died, they were developing new improved designs for their fly traps for the reduction of trachoma.
I contacted Mike yesterday to share both our sadness and wonderful memories of David. He sent this tribute which I wanted to share with you...
David Morley was one of the most influential figures in International Health for decades. His pioneering work has changed the landscape of primary health care and Maternal Child Health. Writing of David in ALL WILL BE WELL, I described him as,"Gentle and passionate." His starting point was always, “How can I help?” He moved mountains to provide support, he was selfless and utterly driven by a desire to improve health care for mothers and children.
The ICROSS projects that have served communities for decades were built firmly on the ground of David Morley’s wisdom and experience. In our work on child survival and growth monitoring we advocated our passion to put the mother at the center of their child's health and giving her the ownership.
David was the first Professor of Tropical Child Health and one of the architects of grassroots community based health care. His close involvement over the decades in ICROSS was a continued source of wisdom and quiet determination. His work lives on in all of our health projects, not least in his many innovations and inventions. We shall miss him greatly.
Michael and I are talking about a practical project we will launch in the memory of our dear friend.
Be reminded of the very practical ways in which David's work has informed my own work in this previous post on Global Child Health Priorities
