FORMER Minister of Health, now Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy has expressed his condolences to the family of the late Dr. Moti Lall, and has joined in paying tribute to the achievements of his former colleague  and friend. Minister Ramsammy, last evening, issued a statement, reflecting his sympathy at the passing of Dr. Moti Lall.
Following is the text of Dr. Ramsammy’s condolence statement:
“Today I lost a friend and a colleague. I have known Dr. Moti Lall for decades and we worked together for the last two decades. But we served in the public health sector together for the last 15 years.
I am profoundly saddened by the death of my comrade and I believe Guyana has lost a patriot and a dedicated son. The Tuberculosis Programme and the Ministry of Health have become diminished by the death of this dedicated son. 
Dr Moti Lall, MD, DPT MS and Former Member of Parliament of Guyana served the health sector with distinction above and beyond the call of duty.
Dr. Lall was first registered by the Medical Board as a medical practitioner in (early 1970s), after completing his Medical Degree at the University of Rostock, German Democratic Republic in 1968. He obtained a diploma in Pulmonology and TB in 1970 at the same University and on returning to Guyana commenced his long and continuous service in the field of Pulmonary Medicine and Tuberculosis control.  
He was appointed Principal TB officer in 1982, and held that Position until 1997, when he retired. He was then retained as a consultant with the Ministry of Health to oversee the TB programme, a position he held until 1999 when he was appointed as Advisor on Communicable Diseases.
Dr. Lall worked tirelessly toward eradication of TB in Guyana and following the conversion of the Best Sanatorium in 1986 to the West Demerara Hospital, continued to serve the public through several Chest Clinics nationwide. Dr. Moti Lall at the time of his death was the President of the Guyana Chest Society, a society that has existed for almost 100 years in Guyana. He served as the Chairman of the Central Housing and Planning Authority and was an active member of the PPP since in the early 1960s.
Even though his death leaves us diminished and we will grieve, I also believe that we should also celebrate the achievements of Dr. Moti Lall. His efforts stand tall as we examine how Guyana has been dealing with TB. The truth is TB would have decimated the population of Guyana. It is because of his efforts in the 1980s and 1990s that Guyana has been able to keep TB under control.
I express my profound condolences to his wife and his three children.”