At a crucial moment when diseases spread across the African continent, particularly the current mpox virus, which has been deemed a public health risk, Dr. Ndugulile assumes the post of WHO regional representative.
The next regional director of the World Health Organization (WHO) for the African area is Faustine Ndugulile.
He will succeed Matshidiso Moeti, who has served two five-year terms.
African member states voted for Ndugulile on Tuesday, during the 74th session of the WHO regional committee for Africa, which held in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo.
The regional committee is the WHO’s decision-making body in the region. It convenes once a year to discuss and endorse policies, activities and financial plans aimed at improving the health of Africans.
Other candidates that were nominated were Richard Mihigo (offered by Rwanda), Ibrahima Fall (presented by Senegal), and Boureima Sambo (proposed by Niger).
Ndugulile’s nomination will be made for appointment by the WHO executive board during its 156th session, which will convene in Geneva, Switzerland, in February 2025. After that, the next regional director will take office for a period of five years and be qualified for reappointment once. Ndugulile reaffirmed his commitment to improving the health of the local populace in his award speech.
He declared, “I’m incredibly honored and humbled to have been chosen as the WHO Regional Director for Africa.” “I appreciate Member States’ faith in me. I’ll work with you, and I think we can create a healthy Africa together.
The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Ghebreyesus, congratulated Ndugulile on his election and gave Sambo, Fall, and Mihigo kudos for their campaigns. “Dr. Ndugulile has gained the confidence and trust of the regional member states to be chosen as WHO Africa’s next regional director,” he declared.
Both a huge honor and a huge duty come with this .”Every step of the way, I and the WHO family in Africa and around the world will support you.” Moeti wished Ndugulile well and congratulated him.
“Let me start by congratulating you on your election to the position of Regional Director for Africa. This is a really satisfying part,” she remarked.
“I know you will take up the mantle and go on to accelerate the gains already made, putting the health and well-being of the people of Africa at the center, despite the many challenges.”