Tanzania’s Ndugulile hailed over his election as new WHO regional director for Africa

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania | Xinhua | Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Wednesday congratulated her fellow citizen Faustine Engelbert Ndugulile on being elected as the World Health Organization (WHO) regional director for Africa, succeeding Matshidiso Moeti, who has held the position since 2015.

Ndugulile, former minister for Information, Communication and Information Technology and former deputy minister for Health, was elected Tuesday during the 74th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa in Brazzaville, the Republic of the Congo, after beating Boureima Hama Sambo of Niger, Richard Mihigo of Rwanda, and Ibrahima Soce Fall of Senegal.

“Heartfelt congratulations to Dr Faustine Engelbert Ndugulile for being elected the World Health Organization Regional Director for Africa,” Hassan said on her X platform.

The head of state said Ndugulile has made Tanzania proud, and the African continent will greatly benefit from his work.

“I am confident that your expertise and experience in the health sector will enable Africa to have a vital voice on the global stage in tackling health challenges for millions of our people across the continent,” said President Hassan.

Ndugulile was elected to the position against the backdrop of epidemics in the African continent, including the latest outbreak of mpox, a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus, a species of the genus Orthopoxvirus. ■