TANZANIA – Dr. Faustine Ndugulile, Tanzania’s accomplished medical doctor, politician, and the incoming World Health Organization (WHO) Africa Regional Director, has passed away at the age of 55.
His untimely death occurred on Wednesday in India, where he was undergoing treatment, according to Tanzania’s Speaker of Parliament.
Dr. Ndugulile, who was set to take office in February 2024, was elected to the prestigious role in August, succeeding Botswana’s Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, who served two terms.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed his condolences, stating he was “shocked and deeply saddened” by the news, while Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu described his passing as a great loss to the nation and the global health community.
A life dedicated to public health
Dr. Ndugulile’s distinguished career spanned medicine, public health, and politics. He earned a medical degree, a Master’s in Public Health, and a law degree, reflecting his multidisciplinary expertise.
Before his political journey began in 2010, he served as a director in Tanzania’s Ministry of Health, overseeing diagnostic services and playing a pivotal role in establishing the National Blood Transfusion Services in 2006.
As a Member of Parliament for Kigamboni, Dar es Salaam, Dr. Ndugulile chaired the country’s parliamentary health committee and held key governmental roles, including Deputy Minister of Health and later Minister of Communications and ICT.
During his tenure as Deputy Health Minister under the late President John Magufuli, he became a vocal advocate for evidence-based COVID-19 precautions, urging Tanzanians to wear masks and reject unscientific remedies at a time when the president dismissed the virus as a threat.
His public stance during the pandemic, including warnings against the use of steam inhalation and herbal remedies, is believed to have contributed to his dismissal from the health ministry in May 2020.
Despite this, he continued to serve his country in other capacities until Magufuli’s death in 2021.
Internationally, Dr. Ndugulile was vice-chair of the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s Advisory Group on Health and worked with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in South Africa earlier in his career.
Election to WHO Africa leadership
Dr. Ndugulile was elected WHO Africa Regional Director after securing 25 out of 46 votes during a regional conference in the Republic of Congo.
His victory over candidates from Senegal, Rwanda, and Niger highlighted his extensive experience and dedication to advancing health in Africa.
Following his election, he pledged to prioritize strengthening WHO country offices and improving health outcomes across the continent. “Together, we can build a healthier Africa,” he stated after his election.
A legacy cut short
Among his notable achievements, Dr. Ndugulile championed the passage of Tanzania’s Universal Health Insurance Bill in 2023, advocated for integrated community health worker programs, and spearheaded the ratification of the African Medicines Agency (AMA) convention.
His death marks the first time a WHO regional director-elect has passed away before assuming office, creating an unprecedented challenge for the organization as it navigates the political process of electing a successor.
Dr. Moeti, the outgoing director, described his death as an “immense loss.”
As Tanzania and the global health community mourn his passing, Dr. Ndugulile leaves behind a legacy of dedication to public health and service, with his work promising to inspire future leaders in the fight for a healthier and more equitable Africa.
