Dr Ndugulile outlines focus areas as new WHO Africa director

Dodoma. The newly elected World Health Organisation (WHO) Director of the African Region, Dr Faustine Ndugulile, has outlined four key focus areas, including improving access to healthcare services among African countries.

Others are strengthening preparedness against health calamities such as COVID-19 and Mpox and consolidating collaboration between the UN body and institutions operating on the continent.

“In the past, Parliaments have been sidelined in WHO issues. My leadership will close the gap and turn the lawmaking organs into integral parts of the operations of the World Health Organisation,” he told Parliament.

Dr Ndugulile was addressing Parliament on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, to thank stakeholders for supporting and enhancing his election.

He outlined another focus area as improving and strengthening supervision of WHO operations in the continent’s health sector to benefit African countries.

According to him, candidates picked to lead WHO institutions were given six months before officially assuming the new role, hinting that he was expected to report at his workstation in Congo Brazzaville early in March next year.

“Currently, I’m following up on how the institution operates and preparing my visions for smooth operations once I assume office,” said the former Minister of ICT and Deputy Minister for Health.

Dr Ndugulile, who doubles as Kigamboni Constituency (MP), said he was obliged to safeguard the health interests of 47 African countries with a 1.5 billion population.

During his campaign, he said African countries were supposed to reflect the type of leadership to lead the health sector six years before the realisation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

He said the continent required strong and visionary leaders to efficiently and effectively address health challenges the continent was facing, despite the notable achievements.

“Africa required a person with academic capabilities and political experience to bridge the gap in the continent,” he said.

Dr Ndugulile, who is a professional medical doctor, said his victory wasn’t a walk in the park, hinting that he faced stiff competition from mature and experienced candidates within WHO.

He thanked health ministers across the continent for understanding and electing the leadership required by the continent: “I have the purpose, reason, and capabilities of doing the five-year term job, which is renewable based on performance.”

He thanked President Samia Suluhu Hassan for trusting and taking campaigns on her shoulders during her visits abroad and when foreign African leaders visited Tanzania.

Dr Ndugulile thanked Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, his deputy Doto Biteko, the National Assembly Speaker, Dr Tulia Ackson, and MPs who formed a team of campaigners.

The MPs included Joseph Kizito Mhagama; Elibariki Kingu; Neema Lugangira; Shamsia Mtamba; and George Mwenisongole.

Dr Ndugulile was elected into the position on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, during the 74th WHO General Assembly held in Brazzaville, Congo, where he secured 25 out of 46 votes, surpassing candidates from Niger and Senegal.