A memorial plaque in honour of Petro Hryhorovych Chumalo has been unveiled on the wall of the Laboratory Centre in Sheptytskyi, commemorating a doctor and Candidate of Medical Sciences who devoted more than half a century to protecting the health of Chervonohrad residents and developing the community.
Petro Chumalo was born in 1935. After graduating from medical institute in 1958, he came to Chervonohrad, and just four years later he headed the city’s sanitary and epidemiological service. He served as head of this service for around 50 years, combining his professional work with active involvement in public life.
For 20 years, Petro Hryhorovych was a member of the city council, and for a further 11 years he served on the executive committee. In 2008 he was awarded the Order “For Merit”, 3rd Class, and in June last year, on City Day, he was granted the title of “Honorary Citizen of the Chervonohrad City Territorial Community”.
At the unveiling of the memorial plaque, Secretary of Sheptytskyi City Council Oleksandr Hrasulov stressed the significance of the doctor’s professional path and the respect he commanded among local residents.
«It is very rare for someone to be recognised as an honorary resident of a city for their professional work. Petro Chumalo was respected as a specialist, and for his personal integrity and civic stance. I am convinced that this memorial plaque will serve as an example for young people, showing that good deeds are remembered and appreciated. Thank you, Petro Hryhorovych, for your work,» said Secretary of Sheptytskyi City Council Oleksandr Hrasulov.
Former Chief Sanitary Doctor of Chervonohrad, Yaroslav Bereketa, remembers Petro Chumalo as a professional who knew how to defend the interests of the community and secure decisions vital to the well-being of future generations. According to him, thanks to the sanitary doctor’s principled stance, the city was able to implement changes necessary for people to live safely.
In particular, in jointly prepared documents, doctors substantiated the need to build new facilities in Chervonohrad, including the Promin and Kalyna factories. One of the important achievements cited is the conversion of the city boiler house to gas, which made it possible to significantly improve air quality in the city.
Former Mayor of Chervonohrad, Stepan Sluka, emphasises that Petro Chumalo is remembered not only as a principled manager and active participant in local self-government, but also as an intelligent, kind and cheerful person. He was involved in many matters of importance to the city and at the same time had an artistic flair — he loved Ukrainian folk songs and often performed them at city celebrations.
The memorial plaque installed in Sheptytskyi will serve as a reminder of the many years of work of Petro Hryhorovych Chumalo, his professionalism and dedication, which earned him the respect of colleagues and Chervonohrad residents. His contribution to the development of the city and the protection of people’s health will remain an important part of the community’s history.