By : Lloyd Mahachi
Dr. Faustine Ndugulile, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) regional director-elect for Africa, has passed away. This sad news was announced by Tanzania’s parliament speaker, Tulia Ackson, on Wednesday.
Ndugulile was receiving medical treatment in India when he passed away. The cause of his death has not been disclosed. Plans are underway to repatriate his body to Tanzania, and funeral plans will be announced later.
Ndugulile was a renowned Tanzanian politician and health expert. He served as a member of parliament for Kigamboni Constituency in Dar es Salaam. He also held various ministerial positions, including health assistant minister from 2017 to 2020.
In addition to his ministerial roles, Ndugulile was also the information and communication minister until 2021. He was a dedicated public servant who worked tirelessly to improve the lives of Tanzanians.
In August, Ndugulile was elected as the WHO’s African director. He was set to assume this new role in February 2025. His election was a testament to his expertise and experience in the field of health.
Ndugulile’s commitment to advancing the health and well-being of people in Africa was evident in his acceptance speech as WHO’s African director-elect. He was passionate about improving health outcomes in Africa and was dedicated to working with governments, health organizations, and communities to achieve this goal.
The passing of Dr. Faustine Ndugulile is a significant loss for the WHO and the African region. His dedication to improving health outcomes in Africa will be deeply missed. As the WHO and Tanzania mourn his loss, they will also celebrate his legacy and contributions to the field of health.
Ndugulile’s death has been met with an outpouring of condolences from various leaders. Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan described his death as “devastating.” WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus expressed his shock and deep sadness at Ndugulile’s passing.
Several Tanzanian legislators also paid tribute to Ndugulile, describing him as a humble man. He was remembered for his kindness, compassion, and dedication to public service. His legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched and the many contributions he made to the field of health.
The WHO regional directors have a five-year term and are eligible for reappointment only once. Ndugulile’s passing means that the WHO will need to find a new regional director for Africa. This will be a challenging task, as Ndugulile was a highly respected and experienced leader in the field of health.
Editor : Josephine Mahachi