Dr Ndugulile the Tanzanian who was to become the new World Health Organization’s Africa Regional Director Dies in India
Dr Faustine Engelbert Ndugulile, the microbiologist from Tanzania who was recently nominated to serve as the new African Regional Director of the World Health Organization has just died.
An official statement from Dr Tulia Ackson, the Speaker of the Tanzania’s National Assembly in Dodoma says Dr Ndugulile, aged 56, passed on while undergoing medical treatment in India.
The statement did not disclose what Ndugulile was suffering from.
The late Dr Ndugulile’s August 2024 nomination was to be submitted for appointment at the 156th session of the WHO Executive Board, which took place in February 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland. He was to start his new continental health duties then.
Dr Ndugulile was a former Tanzanian Minister of information and communications and previously served as the country’s Deputy Health Minister and Member of Parliament for Kigamboni.
He was to replace Dr Matshidiso Moeti, for the post of the Africa Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) from February 2025. Dr Moeti has served two five-year terms at the helm.
African Member States voted to nominate Dr Ndugulile during the Seventy-fourth session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa, held in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.
Other candidates were Dr Boureima Hama Sambo (proposed by Niger,) Dr Ibrahima Socé Fall (proposed by Senegal) and Dr Richard Mihigo (proposed by Rwanda).
The newly appointed Regional Director will take office thereafter for a five-year term and be eligible for reappointment once.
In his acceptance remarks, Dr Ndugulile had expressed commitment to advancing the health of the people of the region.
“I’m truly honoured and humbled to be elected to the position of WHO Regional Director for Africa. I thank Member States for the trust shown in me. I promise to work with you, and I believe that together we can build a healthier Africa,” said Dr Ndugulile.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, congratulated Dr Ndugulile on his election as Regional Director for Africa, and praised Dr Sambo, Dr Fall and Dr Mihigo on their campaigns.
“Dr Ndugulile has earned the confidence and trust of the Member States of the region to be elected the next Regional Director for WHO Africa. This is a great privilege, and a very great responsibility,” said Dr Tedros.