A career politician from Tanzania is nominated to WHO Africa’s top job

Dr. Faustine Ndugulile was nominated to lead the World Health Organization’s regional office for Africa — replacing Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, who has served for nearly a decade. “I humbly accept this responsibility and pledge to devote my energy, expertise, and experience to deliver to your expectations for better health outcomes for our people,” he told the African health ministers who nominated him on Tuesday. “Now it’s my turn to deliver on the promise and implement the manifesto that I presented to you.” Ndugulile, from Tanzania, was the candidate with the most domestic political experience. He has served in the Tanzanian parliament since 2010, as former deputy health minister, and former minister for communications and ICT. He also formerly worked at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in South Africa and within his own country’s ministry. He has degrees in medicine and public health. During his candidacy, he argued that his decades of political experience set him apart and that he understands the pressures ministers face and the support they need from the World Health Organization and others. Increasing political engagement around public health on the continent is crucial in improving health outcomes, he said. It’s a message that resonated with some ministers, who commented on this technocratic experience as an asset during a ceremony congratulating Ndugulile. Sierra Leone’s Health Minister Dr. Austin Demby called it “one of the most difficult jobs in the world,” and told Ndugulile that he now has 1 billion patients — the continent’s population. Ministers also praised WHO for running a transparent, collegial election process. South Africa’s Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said the ministers had to vote three times, which indicated the caliber of the four candidates. The other three candidates had more extensive experience within WHO compared with Ndugulile. Ndugulile said during his candidacy that the continent needs “transformational leaders” as opposed to “transactional leaders.” He named some of his priorities as achieving the U.N Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs, universal health coverage, improving maternal and child health, addressing the burden of communicable and noncommunicable diseases, pandemic preparedness, and climate resilient health systems, among others. It’s a five-year term and Ndugulile will be eligible to serve two terms if re-elected. He will take on the role in February. Ministers also praised Moeti, who they said navigated the continent through challenging times and uncharted waters with grace, including the continent’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. WHO’s Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised her leadership as exhibiting “sterling service” this week. “Dr. Moeti epitomizes principled leadership, unflinching determination, clear vision, genuine innovation, technical expertise and political acumen. She is one of the most formidable health professionals I have ever had the privilege to call my colleague and my sister,” he wrote. Uganda’s Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng urged Ndugulile to have humility as he moves forward. “You step into a position that is new to you because you have been majorly a politician. There is a lot for you to learn. Let your humility take you to that office, learn, create teamwork. Be humble. Be quick to listen and slow to act,” she said. And to Moeti, she said “it would have been nice if there was a lady to replace you. But the door is still open. Other ladies will come after some years.”