Tanzania regains top position at the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community after 25 years
An expert medical professional from Tanzania, Dr Ntuli Kapologwe, has been named the new Director General for the East, Central, and Southern Africa Health Community.
Dr Kapologwe emerged the preferred candidate in Malawi, among six other contestants for the top ECSA-HC position.
The medical expert now takes over from Prof. Yoswa Dambisya of Uganda, who has served two consecutive five-year terms. Dr Ntuli Kapologwe, on the other hand, will serve a five-year term.
Dr Kapologwe has a PhD in Public Health based on Research on Direct Health Facility Financing impact on maternal and child health.
He has also served as the director of Health, Social Welfare and Nutrition Services in Tanzania as well as regional and District Medical Officer with a track record in strengthening healthcare systems.
His leadership was described to be able to drive regional cooperation, health system strengthening, and innovation in East, Central and Southern Africa.
This is the second time Tanzania has secured this position in the 51-year history of the community.
The first time was when another Tanzanian, Dr Winnie Mpanju Shumbusho served as Director General from 1993 to 2000.
Dr. Winnie Mpanju-Shumbusho later moved on to serve as World Health Organization (WHO) Assistant Director General for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases based in Geneva, Switzerland until 2015.
Now Tanzania has somehow again managed to regain the top ECSA-HC position after 25 years.
The East, Central, and Southern Africa Health Community, is headquartered at Themi Hill area in Arusha City, Northern Tanzania.
The ECSA-HC marked its 50th Anniversary in 2024 with a grand ceremony in Arusha.
The community sailed in 1974 comprising nine member states, including the host Tanzania, Malawi, Kenya, Lesotho, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Uganda, and Eswatini.
ECSA-HC also collaborates with 13 non-member states, including Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Eritrea, Gabon, Liberia, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Sudan, Sudan, and Somalia.