Obituary: Dr Peter Lado Aggrey Jaden
Death has robbed the South Sudanese Medical Fraternity of one the finest professionals with high integrity. Dr Peter Lado Aggrey Jaden died in South Africa on 28th August, 2023 from complications developed after a successful open-heart surgery.
At the time of his untimely demise, he served as a Consulting Health Advisor at the World Bank in South Sudan.
Dr Jaden was born to the renowned freedom hero, the late Aggrey Jaden and the late Sarah Reja. He joined University of Nairobi and graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Pharmacy 1989 and additionally attained other qualifications including certifications in Monitoring and Evaluation and Health Economics. At the time of his death, he was pursuing Master of Public Health degree at Kenyatta University.
Dr Jaden started work as a senior Hospital Pharmacist at the Coast General Hospital in Mombasa, Kenya and later partnered with friends to open a successful private Pharmaceutical Company in the South Coast and Mombasa – Omaera Pharmaceutical Ltd, which is one of the leading Manufacturers in Kenya. He worked for Population Services International (PSI) South Sudan, Christian Health Association of Sudan (CHAS) as head of HIV/AIDS Programmes, Health In Africa (HIA), International Finance Corporation (IFC) World Bank Group, and then the World Food Programme from 2016 to 2017. While at the Ministry of Health in South Sudan (Mar 2009 - Apr 2010), Dr Jaden facilitated the South Sudan Household Survey and Health Facility Mapping Exercise. His contributions to the field of health and community development were immense, and his work extended far beyond the boundaries of his profession.
His career was marked by deserving awards and recognitions for his outstanding contributions to society. Dr Jaden was a Senior Health Policy Advisor between January 2014 and March 2016, playing a key role in the establishment of the South Sudan General Medical Council (SSGMC) and developing regulatory guidelines and tools.
From October 2017 to the time of his passing, Dr Jaden worked with the World Bank in South Sudan, supporting health programmes, contributing to the preparation and supervision of lending operations, collaborating with various stakeholders, and supporting health training programs.
Dr Jaden was involved in several community and sport activities. He was chairperson of the Medical and Anti-Doping Commission of the South Sudan National Olympic Committee and supported associations of people living with HIV in South Sudan. He was also an active golfer and a member of multiple golf clubs. Some of his unfulfilled endeavours include the Aggrey Jaden Foundation Library proposed to be constructed in Loka Round, Lainya County, South Sudan.
World Bank friends and colleagues say, “As you rest peacefully with the angels above, we mourn your loss; and we celebrate your memory as a warm friend, a trusted colleague, a true development professional and a South Sudanese patriot. We will always remember you, too, for your actions: how you supported us in reaching out to the Juba Children’s Hospital and helping us organize our donation drive; how you pulled together health promotion activities for World Bank team members especially during the difficult times of the COVID19 pandemic, and how you supported our outreach activities to members of the medical community in Juba.”
He was married to the late Lady Justice Beatrice Thuranira Jaden and together they had three children, Dr. Reja Kendi, Lesuk Lado, and Koome Thuranira.
