Tanzania has introduced Dr. Faustine Ndugulile as its candidate for the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa job. The government has also revealed it has received an important endorsement for its candidate from 16 countries representing the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and seven others outside SADC.
“We are launching our campaign with enough goodwill, we have received a letter from SADC that all sixteen countries from the region will endorse us,” said January Makamba, Tanzania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation during a press briefing on May 08, 2024.
Dr. Ndugulile is an experienced health professional who currently serves as a Member of Parliament for the Kigamboni constituency representing over 317,000 people from his constituency, he also serves as the Vice-chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Health and HIV/AIDS.
Many observers regard him as a forward-thinking individual who stands by medical ethics and profession. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ndugulile was one of the health professionals who advised the public against the then-COVID-19 denial approach.
Ndugulile who will be competing with four candidates from Senegal, Ivory Coast, Rwanda, and Niger has outlined eight strategic priorities for his candidature, this includes: Universal health coverage; maternal and child health, non-communicable diseases; primary healthcare; climate resilient and sustainable health systems; health security; innovation and research and partnership and collaboration.
He aims to succeed Dr. Matshidiso Rebecca Moeti, a Botswana national who will conclude her second term as WHO Regional Director at the Seventy-fourth session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, expected to be held in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, from August 26 to August 30, 2024.
The next stage for Ndugulile’s candidacy will be an interview with the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, alongside other candidates. Subsequently, representatives from all 47 member states comprising the Africa Committee will participate in a secret ballot.
Candidates securing a majority of votes will be nominated for the position, and their names will be forwarded to the WHO Executive Board for appointment.
Tanzania is optimistic about its strong candidacy, noting that West Africa has already put forward a director and South Africa as well, thus it considers this time an East Africa’s turn.
