Adieu Dr. Peters

The literary community in The Gambia or perhaps lovers of poetry are mourning the death of one of Gambia's greatest poets. Dr. Peters died on Wednesday after what some close associates described as a relatively short illness.

Lenrie Peters, aged 76, a veteran surgeon cum writer, passed away in the early hours of Wednesday, at Hopital Dentec in Dakar, Senegal, Daily Observer can reveal. The late Lenrie Peters was reported to have succumbed to heart failure.

When contacted, Bijou Peters, sister to the late Dr Peters, confirmed her brother's death. She said that Dr Peters had been admitted at Westfield Clinic for a week before being moved to the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital's Intensive Care Unit, from where he was later referred to Hopital Dentec in Dakar, Senegal.

Dr Peters, a well known surgeon got his qualification in England where he had his training during which he specialised in Surgery. He was also a member of Fellow Royal College of Surgeon (FRCS) in UK. Dr Peters had his career training as a surgeon in England before he returned home to serve his country. He also worked at the RVTH and Bansang Hospital before he met his death while serving at a private clinic, (Westfield Clinic). The late Dr Peters was also a philanthropist. He had also been awarding a scholarship to the best medical students at the University of The Gambia, initiated some three years back.

[ With imputs from Daily Observer's Musa Ndow]

A special feature on his legacy will come on GRTS news on 29th May 2009