Nigeria is missing in the race for the next regional director of the World Health Organization’s Africa office as the contest hit high gear, just a month before the election.
Candidates from Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, and Tanzania are in the race. Last week they shared their visions during a lively candidates forum, fielding questions from health ministers.
While they all promised similar big goals including speeding up universal health coverage, tackling the effects of climate change on health, boosting maternal and child care, fighting diseases of all kinds, and prepping for health emergencies, each candidate brought their flair to the table, eager to stand out, according to Devex.
The winner of the five-year term which could stretch to a decade with reappointment will fill the shoes of Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, who has been at the helm for nearly 10 years.
At the end of August, African health ministers will huddle to cast their secret votes and pick a nominee. The winning candidate will be submitted to WHO’s executive board in January for final approval, with the new director ready to take charge in February.
The candidates are Senegal’s Dr Ibrahima Socé Fall, Niger’s Dr Boureima Hama Sambo, Tanzania’s Dr. Faustine Engelbert Ndugulile, and Rwanda’s Dr. Richard Mihigo.
Dr. Ibrahima Socé Fall began his career as a military doctor, gaining experience during the Casamance conflict in Senegal. He currently directs WHO’s global neglected tropical diseases program. He has managed the Ebola response in West Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo, efforts against Guinea worm in Senegal, and the largest meningitis outbreak in the Sahel.
Dr. Boureima Hama Sambo, the most experienced candidate in leading WHO country offices, Sambo is currently the WHO representative for the DRC and has served in Ethiopia, Gabon, and Rwanda. His tenure in Ethiopia included managing the office during the war in Tigray and severe drought. He also held key roles at WHO’s headquarters and the Africa regional office, advocating for African solutions, global south-south cooperation, and integrating traditional medicine into national health systems.
Dr. Faustine Engelbert Ndugulile, the candidate with the most domestic political experience, has been a Tanzanian member of Parliament since 2010 and served as deputy health minister until 2020. He was removed from this position amid public health dismissals during Tanzania’s controversial COVID-19 response. He advocates for increased political engagement, complementarity among regional health players, and strengthening WHO’s country and regional offices.
Rwanda’s Dr. Richard Mihigo began his career during the Rwandan genocide. He helped rebuild Rwanda’s health infrastructure and contributed to launching its community health worker program and health insurance system. After 18 years at WHO, including leading the immunization and vaccine development program and managing WHO Africa’s COVID-19 response, Mihigo joined Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance in 2022.
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