Dr. Antoninho Dias,-A pioneer life saver Dr.Antonio Franscisco Simplicio Dias was popularly and affectionately known as Dr Antoninho. He was married to Maria da Conceicao Santa Rita Furtado(Palmar Grande).Dr Antoninho is the son of late Dulcidonio Torquato Tasso Dias served as Dr and Major in the Portuguese Army and Mrs Eliza Idalina CarlotaBarros Dias. His useful life spanned from 2.March 1892 to 16.10.1960
Dr. served the Village of Chinchinim specially Dandeavado and surrounding wards, as the first and only Paediatrician and General Medical Practitioner( Curso Medico Cirurgico), Dr was much sought after for his dedication, simplicity, affability and passion for his mission to serve and save lives, being the only saviour for the vast majority of patients in the locality. Dr.was understood in not demanding his fees, though the grateful patients paid him in instalments, as and when they could. In those days, Doctors dispensed their own prepared medicines, since there were no pharmacies in the village for patent drugs .He was well known far and wide for his specialty in the cure and relief of whooping cough, then an irritating disease in the young children. He had also to trudge the distances in dispensing his medical services even at odd hours and at nights and which he did with pleasure. Many a folks profess their profound gratitude for their survival and existence to this date due to his timely medical intervention and care. I am one of those fortunate ones. Dr.was honoured by being appointed Adjudante do Registo Civil for the villages of Chinchinim,Assolna,Velim for Civil Registration of births, , deaths and marriages. Besides he was actively and constructively involved in the institutions of Communidade de Chinchinim, and Fabrica de Igreja de Chinchinim and served both with distinction in the capacity of the President, He being most educated ,literate was the favourite, popular sought after Toast Master at weddings in Dandeavado, Bandfol, Mingfoll and beyond and was listened to with rapt attentions for his mature advise and words of wisdom. The residents of Palmar Grande once made a concerted and determined effort to shift the Portuguese Primary school from its present, convenient and centrally located site Dr Antoninho with some enlightened, prominent citizens warded off successfully the illogical attempt to shift the premises, which stands to this day as the testimony to his thoughtful insight. Dr Antoninho was deeply a religious and spiritual person, unfailingly attending daily mass , which he believed was his strength , boundless energy to serve and not to be served. His self professed motto “ Pray with faith, work selflessly with love and devotion in the service of his calling” remains etched in times, worthy of recall His late illustrious son Dr Antonio Dulcidonio Zacarias Menino Jesus Barros Dias followed in the foot steps of his father, practiced in Coimbra and also as the Superintendent of Diamond Company in Angola, On his return, for a brief period, offered consultations, was engaged with the Lions Club of Chinchinim, and extended regularly his expertise to the students of the Church school including old aged home at Chinchinim. Dr.Dulcidonio is survived by his wife and 3 daughters having lost his son The surviving daughters of late Dr Antoninho are MrsAlba,Mrs Blasia,MrsElma, MrsAurea and late Ms Alzira Nelson Lopes Chinchinim Click here to *Reply* or *Forward*