Statement from CHAI interim Co-CEOs Joy Phumaphi and Ann Veneman on passing of Dr. Tachi Yamada
Dr. Tachi Yamada was the CHAI Board Chair.
We were shocked and saddened to learn today that CHAI’s Board Chair, Dr. Tachi Yamada, has passed away.
Tachi has been a driving force in global health for decades and his loss will be felt around the world. As a physician, professor, mentor, and leader of large and respected international institutions, Tachi’s contributions to health and development touched billions of lives around the globe.
We both worked closely with Tachi when he was at the Gates Foundation, and more recently on the CHAI Board. His service and dedication to helping and supporting people, most notably the marginalized around the world, was unparalleled.
Tachi’s legacy will live on in the institutions he led, the patients he treated, and the countless people he helped along the way.
We invite the many people who knew and loved Tachi to share messages of remembrance below.
Contact
Regan Lachapelle, Director of Communications, rlachapelle@clintonhealthaccess.org
I received the sad news of the passing of Dr. Tadataka ‘Tachi’ Yamada KBE, Chairman of the Board of the Clinton Health Access Initiative with shock and sadness.
On behalf of the Board, Management and Staff of the Dangote Group, I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to you and the entire staff of CHAI and the Clinton Foundation.
Dr. Yamada, a renowned scientist and scholar in gastroenterology, greatly contributed to global wellbeing through quality healthcare, and the impact of his work at CHAI and other international agencies led to improved health for billions around the world. Indeed, his germane inputs would be sorely missed as the world battles a ravaging pandemic, among other health crises.
In the course of his outstanding career, he oversaw grants of more than $9 billion in programmes directed at applying technologies to address major health challenges of the developing world including TB, HIV, malaria and other infectious diseases, malnutrition and maternal and child health.
And so although we are saddened by this huge loss, we are consoled by the fact that Tachi left behind a lasting legacy, and his influence as a mentor and role model will be treasured and propagated by all those who ever worked with him.
Once again, on behalf of the Board, Management and Staff of the Dangote Group, please accept my heartfelt condolences.
ALIKO DANGOTE, GCON
President/Chief Executive
My sincere condolences. This is very sad. My thoughts and prayers go to his family and friends. Tachi will be missed. I truly admired his steadfastness, passion and courage in selfless leadership in global health.
A huge loss to global health. May he rest in peace.
So sorry for the loss of Dr. Tachi, may his soul rest in peace..
Such sad news to hear. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. I pray that God will grant his family the fortitude to bear this loss.
My heart is extremely broken when i heard the death of Dr. Tachi. I know Dr. Tachi when he became CHAI board chair and met senior CHAI management team. He is an internationally renowned scientist. My sympathy and prayers are with his family. Let his soul RIP.
Amen
My condolences for your loss. I express my sincere sympathy to the family.
So sorry to hear of Tachi’s passing. I have only recently been on a CHAI-all call led by Tachi, he spoke with humility and transparency. I was quite impressed in his approach at Q&A, before answering a question he first addressed the staff member recognizing the work the individual does before responding to the question. It really speaks to the great leadership we have at CHAI as well as demonstrate the adherence of CHAI values at all levels. This is a terrible loss for CHAI and our partners. May Tachi rest in eternal peace, my condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
Very sad to hear of Tachi passing he will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. Know that he is with the angels watching over all of us and The CHAI missions. God bless his souls such a wonderful.
I only first saw Dr. Tachi Yamada on the last CHAI-ALL call. I remember smiling because he reminded me of a dear uncle who survived 11 years in a Communist work camp. Despite his ordeal, years after release, he always had a kind face that showed a open heart still toward the world. The little that I read about Dr. Yamada’s remarkable work and contribution to saving lives reminds me of the quote by George Washington Carver “Where there is no vision, there is no hope.” He was a man of great vision and his steadfast courage to drive visionary innovations in healthcare leaves the world a better place. Gone too soon, the giants of our time. Deepest sympathies to Dr. Yamada’s family.
It was an honour and a privilege to have met and to have been associated with Tachi. It is extremely sad to hear of his passing. He will be missed. Farewell and may your soul obtain liberation. 🙏
A shockingly tragic loss. Tachi directly touched the lives of so many and, indirectly, helped countless numbers with his visionary leadership in the global health arena.
I mourn. No doubt irreparable loss for world as well as irreparable loss for the Clinton Foundation.