In the month in which he was going to celebrate his 83 birthday, Miguel Angel Argal Echarri passed away in Pamplona, the city he was also born. 45 years ago, in 1972, Miguel Angel was the promoter of Medicus Mundi not only in his region, Navarra, but also in Spain. Strongly engaged in the organization, he was president of the Federation of Medicus Mundi Spain for 8 years. In this period, representing Medicus Mundi, he was also one of the 9 funders of the National Coordination of NGO in Spain. In the international arena, we can’t forget the 6 years he was president of Medicus Mundi International, where he shared great moments in the history of this organization.
Miguel Angel was closely linked to the hospital of Nemba, in Rwanda, which was created in 1974 by Medicus Mundi Navarra, and with which this organization has kept a strong relationship, trying to improve the health of 250.000 people: In Nemba, Miguel Angel has spent some of the most intense experiences of his life, undertaking numerous visits. His last travel to Ruanda was last November, so at the end of his life he was be able to say goodbye to Nemba, to the hospital and to the people he has had permanently in his mind.
Why can a person dedicate all his efforts to try to improve the health situation of the poorest people in the world? This is difficult to understand unless you speak with somebody like Miguel Angel. He was not only a good person, but he also thought we must do thinks to change the unfair situations. There is no better phrase to resume his way of life than one proverb he wrote once in an article in Spain: “It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness”. His light will always enlighten the Medicus Mundi family, as Miguel Angel was an inspiring person for all of us.
Carlos Mediano, Federation of Medicus Mundi Spain
President of Medicus Mundi International – Network Health for All
Messages of condolence
The passing away of Miguel leads me back to the years 1997 to 2004, during his presidency of Medicus Mundi International. We met each other in the secretariat at Brussels nearly monthly and discussed the daily ins and outs of MMI. His dedication and empathy for the “most deprived” struck me. He abandoned a career in the R.C. Church Hierarchy in order to work for the poor in the developing world. Nemba hospital, Ruanda, was his favourite project where he went frequently and felt the needs of the people by himself.
Empathy and dedication.
Please accept my condoleances, Miguel was a honest man, great and amiable.
Sake Rypkema
Former MMI president
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Reading the news of Miguel Argal‘s loss, I express my deep sympathies to his family and the Spanish Medicus Mundi Community. A great friend, a moral authority, devoted to the needy, especially in Rwanda and Bolivia, has passed away, For many years I shared with him great moments in the history of Medicus Mundi.
Requiescat in Pace.
Edgar Widmer
Former MMI president
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I regret to read the sad news that Miguel Angel, one of the former presidents of Medicus Mundi International, has passed away. Please accept my condolences on the death of this very amiable person, who has been so committed to the good cause of Medicus Mundi Spain and Medicus Mundi International. I met Miguel when I attended my first MMI Board meeting in Brussels in 1996. And since then I have always been impressed by his dedication and preparedness to spend so much time and energy on his work as MMI president. I will retain good memories of Miguel, he was a great person.
Guus Eskens
Former MMI president
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These are very sad news. Miguel made Medicus Mundi Spain and MMI to what both are today – living networks promoting and suporting health for all. He had high standards and will remain a reference point for us. Please extend my sincere condolences to his family and all the friends and colleagues of FAMME.
Nick Lorenz
Former MMI president
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Many other messages of condolence have been received by our secretariat and forwarded to Medicus Mundi Spain. Thanks to all of you!