Former health minister, Sandy Cachia Zammit, dies

Former Nationalist health minister Alexander Cachia Zammit, has passed away, at the age of 89.

The news was tweeted by Opposition leader Simon Busuttil, who said: "Farewell to dear Sandy Cachia Zammit, PN Żejtun stalwart and former Minister in the Gorg Borg Olivier government."

The Zejtun MP was a family doctor, who had only recently published his memoires.

Farewell to dear Sandy Cachia Zammit, PN Żejtun stalwart and former Minister in the Gorg Borg Olivier government. pic.twitter.com/r4KQau2xdA

— Simon Busuttil (@SimonBusuttil) July 30, 2014

Born in Birzebbuga on 11 August, 1924, he studied at the Lyceum and the Royal University of Malta where he graduated MD in 1946. He joined the public service before leaving to take up private practice in 1949 in Zejtun.

He contested the 1955, 1962, 1966, 1971, 1976 and 1981 general elections.

He was returned on two districts in 1962. Under Gorg Borg Olivier, Cachia Zammit was appointed Minister for Labour and Social Services and in 1966, health minister.

Following the 1971 election of Labour, Cachia Zammit and his brother Lawrence Cachia Zammit faced a trial by jury on charges of having seized government documents upon leaving office. They were found not guilty.

He retired from politics after the 1987 elections and was subsequently nominated ambassador to the Holy See and to the Sovereign Military Order of St John. In December 1992, he was appointed officer of the National Order of Merit.

He was president of the Beland Band Club of Zejtun since 1960.

Cachia Zammit married Doris Martin in 1954, and had son John and daughter Kathryn.