Dr. Faustine Ndugulile of Tanzania has been elected as the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Director for Africa during the ongoing session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa in Brazzaville, Congo.
Ndugulile won the election with 25 out of 46 votes, defeating candidates from Rwanda, Niger, and Senegal. His candidacy was supported by 25 African nations, including Kenya.
A former deputy minister of Health in Tanzania, Ndugulile will succeed Dr. Matshidiso Moeti of Botswana, who is concluding her tenure after two five-year terms.
Ndugulile, a medical doctor specializing in microbiology, has extensive experience in public health. His campaign focused on transforming African health systems to achieve universal health coverage, improving maternal and child health, and strengthening health security, innovation, and research.