Dr. Faustine Ndugulile from Tanzania has been elected as the new World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, succeeding Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, who served two consecutive five-year terms in the role.
This announcement was made in a press release on the WHO Africa website on Tuesday. Dr. Ndugulile was selected by the African Member States during the 74th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, which took place in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo. He was chosen from a competitive field of candidates, including Dr. Boureima Sambo of Niger, Dr. Ibrahima Fall of Senegal, and Dr. Richard Mihigo of Rwanda.
Dr. Ndugulile’s nomination will be forwarded for formal appointment during the 156th session of the WHO Executive Board, scheduled for February 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland. Once appointed, he will begin his five-year term, with the possibility of reappointment for an additional term.
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Ndugulile expressed his gratitude and commitment to improving health outcomes across the African region. “I am truly honoured and humbled to be elected to the position of WHO Regional Director for Africa. I thank member states for the trust shown to me. I promise to work with you, and I believe that together we can build a healthier Africa,” he said.
WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, congratulated Dr. Ndugulile on his election, highlighting the trust and confidence placed in him by the member states. He assured Dr. Ndugulile of the full support of the WHO community in Africa and globally. “This is a great privilege and a very great responsibility. I and the entire WHO family in Africa and around the world will support you every step of the way,” Dr. Tedros stated.
Dr. Tedros also extended his gratitude to the outgoing Regional Director, Dr. Moeti, for her decade of dedicated service to the health of the African people. “I thank my sister, Dr. Moeti, for everything she has done for the health of the people of Africa, but also for who she is. I thank her for the example she has set and the legacy she has left,” he said.
In her farewell message, Dr. Moeti congratulated Dr. Ndugulile and expressed her confidence in his ability to continue advancing the health agenda in Africa. “I would like to congratulate you for being elected as the Regional Director for Africa. This is an extremely fulfilling role. 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,” she said.
