On mid afternoon of 6th October, mourners in their tens of thousands flocked to the Patriots Cemetry to pay their last respect to the martyred fighter Minister Saleh Said Meki. Government and PFDJ officials, commanders of the operation zones, religious leaders, members of the diplomatic corps and other dignitaries led by military parade accompanied the casket from his residence. Covered with National Flag, when reached in the cemetery vicinity, the casket was put in front of faithful for Salat Al Jinaza prayers headed by the Eritrean Mufti- Sheik Alamin Osman.

After the funeral services the biography of the martyred fighter was read. Born in 1948 in Gulie, Central region, after completing his education, in 1972 he went to United States of America where he pursued his undergraduate and postgraduate studies in various Universities. It was in the same year that he started to be involved actively in EPLF organizational affairs. During eighties Mr. Saleh was representative of the front in the western USA and he served there until independence.

Later lying wreath of flower on his grave followed. On behalf of the People and Government of Eritrea President Isaias Afwerki laid wreath on the tomb of the martyred Minister Saleh Meki, followed by the bereaved family, veteran fighter Romodan Mohammednur, Gen. Sebhat Ephrem on behalf of the Ministry of Defense, Mr. Hagos Gebrehiwet, Head of Economic Affairs at the PFDJ, on behalf of PFDJ, Mr. Ahmed Haj Ali, Minister of Energy and Mines, on behalf of the Ministry of Marine Resources, and Ms. Amna Nurhusein, Minister of Health, on behalf of the Ministry. Mrs. Saba Hailu laid wreath on behalf of the President’s family

His Legacies
On this solemn moment every one was contemplating on the achievements his Ministry registered in his 12 years tenure at the Ministry of Health. These include the construction of referral hospitals in each region, equipped with latest medical technologies, the launching of new clinics and health centers in various cities, towns and remote parts of the country. To staff these health institutions, the Ministry opened Orotta School of Medicine to which the first batch of medical doctors is projected to graduate in three months.

“The graduating class of Orotta School of Medicine owes Mr. Saleh a lot,” say Bsrat Teklemariam, a 6th year student at the college. He was the one who energized and inspired the students to be better citizens and shoulder the responsibility that is entrusted on us. He used to involve in every part of the students lives and share our concerns. Simply he was some one to look up to, said Bsrat.

Dr. Haile Mezghebe, Medical Director of Graduate Medical Education at Orotta School of Medicine says Minister Saleh’s leadership and achievements gave Eritrea a positive image internationally. “He attested the fact that a transformation at a given task can be materialized if a visionary leader such as the Minister is involved in the task. Minister Saleh left us with a visible legacy that we can be proud of.”


The launching and diversifying of various health training centers in different zones was also part of the Ministry’s quest to feed the existing understaffed health institutions. The reduction of different communicable diseases including malaria, one of the highest killers in the world, by 80 % within five years got high acclaim from various international organizations including World Bank.

As attributed once by Reuters, Chris Walker former Lead Health Specialist in East and Southern Africa described Eritrea experience in dealing with malaria as outstanding.
The reduction of malaria prevalence by 80 % in Eritrea was dubbed as ambitious and an unattainable venture suggesting that country like Eritrea could only register from 20 up to 25 % normally happened in other developing countries. The reduction of child morbidity and mortality rate of mothers and children at birth during delivery was reduced from 200 to 45 cases in 100.000 citizens. The achievements registered in the eradication of measles and polio to which Eritrea is expecting for certificate of confirmation and others great strides led Eritrea to represent Africa through the late Minister Saleh Said Meky in a conference held in Azerbaijan. The Ministry was also able to treat diabetes, fistula cancer patients among other major diseases.

Last April Minister Saleh was assigned to the Ministry of Marine Resources. “From the outcomes we witnessed during his tenure at the Ministry of Health, we were hopeful that tangible changes at the Ministry of Marine Resources were down the road. And his initial measures were directed to that end, said Mr. Said Mohammed Abrar, Director of the Minister’s Office. “Yet, as life has its course Mr. Saleh has gone. What we required is to reaffirm our commitment to our country and excel in our tasks in all sectors.”
Over all his patriotism, dedication and sacrifice for the betterment of the society and country can be summed up to a response he gave in Washington DC August 16 2009.

"As an Eritrean-American, I know I can live in America a better life. But I decided to be alongside my less-fortunate people whom I love and love to serve."