Hundreds attend slain doctor’s funeral

 By FREDRICK JEJERI
HUNDREDS of people flocked to the Sir Ignatius Kilage Indoor Stadium in Lae yesterday for the funeral service of late Dr Alphonse Rongap.
Families, friends, colleagues and the public packed the stadium from the morning until the programme started at around noon.
Angau Memorial General Hospital chief executive officer Christopher Kenyhercz  said he could not think of what to say because Rongap had spent all of his life as a public servant in health.
“Dr Rongap had set a legacy and it’s a complete loss to the hospital when such a doctor’s life is taken away,” Kenyhercz said.
Rongap’s daughter Violet, also a doctor, described her dad’s absence as “how he goes out attending calls as a public servant”.
“Dad would say I am going and will later return when he goes for work and studies,” Violet said.
“How he had contributed in institutions, departments or individually would be judged by each of you.”
Rongap, from Angoram district in East Sepik, had served Angau hospital for 29 years and was a vice-president of the National Doctors Association. He was a paediatrician at the hospital when he was murdered on June 25 at Mambu market along Back Road when he went to drop off friends. He was 61. His body will be flown to Port Moresby tomorrow and then to Wewak on Friday. He will be laid to rest at the Angoram public cemetery. Rongap is survived by his children Dr Alphonse Rongap Jr, Violet and wife Dr Theresa Rongap.