Tanzania's Ndugulile elected WHO Africa regional director

Dar es Salaam. Dr. Faustine Ndugulile, Tanzania's former Minister of ICT and Deputy Minister for Health, has been elected as the Regional Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) for the African Region.

The election took place on Tuesday  during the 74th WHO General Assembly in Brazzaville, Congo, where Ndugulile secured 25 out of 46 votes, surpassing candidates from Niger and Senegal

Dr. Ndugulile, who also serves as the Kigamboni Member of Parliament, competed against  contenders from Senegal, Rwanda, and Niger.

In his new role, he has committed to prioritizing access to quality healthcare services across the continent, ensuring that no one is left behind in receiving essential health services.

Additionally, Dr. Ndugulile has emphasized the importance of improving the readiness of African countries to respond to epidemic outbreaks, a critical concern as the continent continues to face various health challenges.

He also aims to enhance accountability within WHO's African Region and strengthen communication between member states on health matters.

A seasoned medical professional, Dr. Ndugulile brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having previously served as Tanzania’s Minister and Deputy Minister for Health, as well as the Minister for Communication and Information Communication Technology.

His leadership also extends to international platforms, where he was the Chairman of the Geneva-based Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Advisory Committee on HIV/AIDS, Maternal, and Child Health from 2015 to 2017.

Dr. Ndugulile takes up the WHO regional role at a critical time when the African continent is grappling with disease outbreaks, including the recent mpox virus, which has been declared a public health concern.

His leadership is expected to play a vital role in guiding the continent through these challenges and advancing public health across the region.