Tanzania’s Dr Faustine Ndugulile has been nominated as the next Regional Director for the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region, defeating more experienced WHO insiders in a closely contested race.

Ndugulile secured 25 of the 46 votes at the WHO Africa regional conference in the Republic of Congo, defeating Dr Ibrahima Socé Fall (proposed by Senegal), Dr Richard Mihigo (proposed by Rwanda) and Dr Boureima Hama Sambo (proposed by Niger). 

Socé Fall has a high-profile position at WHO headquarters in Geneva and Mihigo has held global positions in the vaccine alliance, Gavi, and WHO.

Ndugulile, a former deputy health minister and ICT minister in his country, has represented the Kigamboni constituency in Dar Es Salaam as a Member of Parliament since 2010 and chairs the country’s parliamentary health committee.

He is also vice-chair of the global Inter-parliamentary Union’s advisory group on health. 

Aside from a medical degree, 55-year-old Ndugulile has a Masters degree in public health and a law degree. 

While representing Tanzania at the Pan African Parliament from 2015 to 2018, he chaired the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Advisory Group on Maternal, Child Health, Newborn, and HIV/AIDS from 2015 to 2017. 

In his CV, Ndugulile lists his notable achievements, including “championing the passage of the Universal Health Insurance Bill in 2023, advocating for the implementation of an integrated and coordinated community health worker program and successfully advocating for the ratification of the African Medicine Agency (AMA) convention”.

Describing himself as a “technocrat, politician and policy maker”, Ndugulile has promised to I “prioritize strengthening of WHO country offices to ensure timely, relevant, optimal and effective support to the member states”.

His nomination will be submitted to the WHO Executive Board meeting in January 2025, and he is expected to take office in February 2025 for a five-year term.

Heartfelt congratulations to Dr Faustine Engelbert Ndugulile for being elected the World Health Organization Regional Director for Africa. You have made our country proud, and our continent will greatly benefit from your work.

I am confident that your expertise and experience… pic.twitter.com/IB08T2BmwW

— Samia Suluhu (@SuluhuSamia) August 27, 2024

Ndugulile will succeed Botswana’s Dr Matshidiso Moeti, who has served two five-year terms at the helm.

“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 WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. 

“I and the entire WHO family in Africa and around the world will support you every step of the way.”

Tedros also thanked Moeti “for the example she has set, and the legacy she has left”.

Moeti congratulated Ndugulile, describing the position as “extremely fulfilling”. 

“Despite the many challenges, I know you will take the baton and go on to accelerate the gains already made, putting the health and well-being of the people of Africa at the centre,” said Moeti.