Tanzania’s Ndugulile: I have what it takes to serve as WHO Regional Director for Africa

Tanzania has nominated Dr Faustine Ndugulile, former Deputy Minister for Health, as a candidate for the position of Regional Director for Africa at the World Health Organisation (WHO).

He holds a Doctor of Medicine degree and a Master of Medicine in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Dar es Salaam, as well as a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Western Cape, South Africa.

His distinguished career includes serving as Minister for Communication and Information Technology, vice chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Services and Community Development, and chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on HIV/AIDS and Substance Abuse.

Additionally, Dr Ndugulile was a Member of the Pan African Parliament from 2015 to 2017 and served as the Africa Region Representative to the International AIDS Society from 2008 to 2016. He is currently the Vice-Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Health and HIV/AIDS, the Vice-Chairman of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and a member of the Executive Committee of the Network of African Parliamentary Committees on Health (NEAPACOH). 

 In this interview with The Citizen Correspondent, Apolinari Tairo, Dr Ndugulile outlines his vision for achieving optimal and accessible healthcare for all Africans.

Question: You are vying for this highly esteemed regional position; why do you think you are the ideal candidate for this position?

Answer: I have over 20 years of high-level health experience in Tanzania and globally. I will bring a wide range of technical, policy and legislative experience to the post.

With the ongoing transformation taking place at WHO AFRO and the newly approved WHO General Programme of Work 14, we need a Regional Director who brings leadership, reputation and integrity to this position.

I believe I have what it takes in terms of proven leadership, strategic thinking and a clear vision to address Africa's health challenges holistically, provide practical solutions and improve health outcomes across the continent.

What is your vision for transforming the current health situation and challenges facing health development in Africa, which have so far made this continent lagging in human health compared to other continents, if you are elected to hold this top health sector administration in Africa?

Significant progress has been made in Africa’s health sector, yet challenges persist.

My vision is to see Africa as a continent where every individual thrives with optimal health and well-being, supported by accessible, equitable, and sustainable healthcare systems. I am dedicated to enhancing healthcare access, quality, and equity across the continent through strategic leadership, robust partnerships, and evidence-based interventions.

Given the escalating impact of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), diabetes, and other lifestyle-related conditions in Africa, what strategies do you propose to address and mitigate these significant health risks across the continent?

To tackle Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Africa, it is essential for the continent to enhance investments in combating NCDs. This includes focusing on education, promoting healthy lifestyles, implementing comprehensive screening programmes, and ensuring access to effective treatment, palliative care, and rehabilitation services. Additionally, integrating NCD services into primary health care is vital for a cohesive approach.

If elected, I will collaborate closely with Member States and other stakeholders to address the escalating burden of NCDs. My focus will be on advancing public health education, promoting preventive measures, ensuring early diagnosis and treatment, and advocating for the availability of affordable treatment options.

Many African governments continue to experience significant budgetary constraints within their health sectors. How prepared are you to enhance donor engagement and secure increased funding to address these challenges and bolster the health sector across the continent?

As WHO Africa Regional Director, my primary focus will be advocating for a significant increase in domestic funding for health across the continent. Currently, many health interventions in Africa are heavily dependent on external funding, which is not sustainable in the long term.

We are still far from fully implementing the Abuja Declaration, which mandates that each African nation allocate at least 15 percent of its national budget to health care. This situation must change. I will push for African governments to substantially increase their health budgets and explore innovative funding mechanisms to enhance domestic resources.

To achieve this, I plan to engage with key continental political bodies, including the African Union Commission, as well as regional and sub-regional economic and health organizations. Collaborating with regional financial institutions will also be crucial in mobilising the necessary resources to improve health services and outcomes across Africa.

Civil wars and conflicts in several African countries have severely disrupted health services, particularly affecting maternal and child health delivery. What strategies and initiatives do you plan to implement to address these challenges and support the affected regions?

Conflicts, pandemics, and the effects of climate change are currently the most significant challenges facing Africa, profoundly impacting health systems. We have witnessed how conflicts can obstruct access to essential health services, disrupt infrastructure, and impair health facility supply chains.

Addressing these issues requires both technical and political solutions.

I am committed to advocating for political resolutions to conflicts while collaborating with all stakeholders to enhance health services in affected regions. This includes ensuring that health workers can operate safely in conflict zones.

By partnering with governments, international organisations, and humanitarian agencies, we will strive to create environments where health workers are protected and empowered to provide vital services.

Additionally, I plan to work closely with member states to build robust health systems that are not only resilient to climate-related impacts but also sustainable over the long term.

Stunting remains a significant challenge for children across Africa. How do you plan to address and mitigate this critical issue?

Stunting is a critical public health issue in Africa, primarily driven by chronic malnutrition and frequent infections, resulting in impaired growth and development among children. With one in three children affected by stunting in Africa—significantly higher than the global average of 23.1 percent—it is imperative to take decisive action.

I am fully aware of the Global Nutrition Targets, which aim to achieve a 40 percent reduction in stunting among children under five by 2025. Addressing this challenge requires a comprehensive, multisectoral approach. This includes engaging all stakeholders to promote and implement effective policies and programmes across various sectors such as health, water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH), and food security.

What do you see as the role of Community Health Workers in attaining Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were meant to be achieved by 2030. We are off course in some of these targets due to a multitude of factors.

I am confident that investing in Community Health Workers (CHWs) can serve as a vital link between communities and health systems. CHWs can help community members access essential services in their local areas and ensure they receive the necessary care.

I firmly believe that CHWs play a crucial role in improving healthcare delivery and outcomes within communities. It is essential to recognise and support the valuable contributions that CHWs make in bridging the gap between formal health services and the people they serve.

As part of my manifesto, I am committed to advocating for the empowerment of CHWs. I aim to work with member states to enhance their community health programmes and prioritise the utilisation of CHWs. By strengthening the role of CHWs, we can ensure that communities receive the care they need and move closer towards achieving the SDGs by 2030.

What are you other strategies that would be applied to control outbreaks of contagious diseases in Africa?

I am pleased to note Africa's government is prioritising health security. The establishment of the Africa Centres for Diseases Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) reflects the commitment of African leaders to create a continental institution dedicated to addressing health emergencies.

I plan to work closely with member states and other stakeholders, including the Africa CDC, to build capacity in health emergency preparedness using lessons learned from previous crises and leveraging the extensive presence of WHO AFRO offices across the continent.

This will go hand in hand with advocating for Africa to adopt the newly amended International Health Regulations but also support the on-going initiatives to build capacity in local manufacturing of essential vaccines, medicines and commodities.

What roles do innovation and research play to advance health on the continent?

I believe that research conducted on the African continent can generate local solutions to advance healthcare.

I have also noted that there are several African innovators who are developing digital health platforms that are suitable and that can be adapted to the African continent.

I plan to enhance and develop innovation and research in Africa by promoting an African-led research agenda focusing on local health priorities, fostering regional research networks and translating discoveries into practical applications.

I believe that innovation and research can play crucial roles in advancing health across Africa.

Which are your key approaches to achieving your strategies for transforming the health sector in Africa?

If elected as the Regional Director, my primary focus would be on enhancing the visibility of the regional office and positioning Africa as a key player in global health. I would continue the ongoing efforts to improve organisational transparency and efficiency, ensuring that WHO AFRO is more accountable to member states. Additionally, I would work towards strengthening country offices, making them more responsive to the specific needs of member states.

In order to achieve these goals, I would prioritise building strong partnerships with all stakeholders, including member states, regional institutions, civil societies, and the private sector.

Furthermore, I would actively engage with member states and other stakeholders to address the financing challenges faced by WHO AFRO and country health programmes. My aim would be to develop innovative financing mechanisms that ensure the sustainability of our organisation and the health programmes implemented across the region.

Lastly, I would emphasise the importance of documenting and sharing best practices from both within and outside the continent. By disseminating these valuable insights to our members, we can collectively work towards improving health outcomes and driving positive change in the region.