Four candidates vie for WHO Africa regional director role

AFRICA – Four candidates are contesting to become the next Regional Director for the World Health Organization’s (WHO) African Region. 

The election will take place during WHO Africa’s seventy-fourth session, which will be held from August 26 to 30 in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. 

In a closed meeting, the regional committee, comprising health ministers of African member states, will vote to nominate the new regional director.

The nomination will be submitted to the WHO Executive Board, which will convene in January 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland. 

The newly appointed Regional Director will take office in February 2025 for a five-year term and be eligible for reappointment once.

Dr. Ibrahima Socé Fall (Senegal)

Dr. Fall, 58, is the WHO Global Director for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD). He holds a PhD in epidemiology and international health and a master’s in public health. He has previously served in various positions at the WHO, including as its representative in Mali, as Regional Emergencies Director for the WHO, and as Director for Health Security and Emergencies in the African Region.

Dr. Boureima Hama Sambo (Niger)

Dr. Sambo, 64, is WHO’s Representative to the Democratic Republic of the Congo as Head of Mission. He holds a PhD in epidemiology and a degree in medicine. Dr. Sambo has previously served as the WHO representative to DR Congo, Gabon, and Ethiopia and as the Programme Area Coordinator for NCDs for WHO Africa. He has also worked as an Associate Professor of Diabetology and Epidemiology at the University of Florida, USA, and as an Assistant Professor of Clinical Research at the University of Oklahoma, USA.

Dr. Faustine Engelbert Ndugulile (Tanzania)

Dr. Ndugulile, 55, was Tanzania’s Minister for Communication and Information Technology between December 2020 and September 2021 and has also served as a deputy minister of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly, and Children. He is a medical doctor with a master’s in medicine and a master’s in public health.

Dr. Richard Mihigo (Rwanda)

Dr. Mihigo, a medical doctor and seasoned public health expert with expertise in immunization, holds a Master of Public Health in International Health from Boston University School of Public Health, USA. He served in many positions, including the Regional Coordinator of the Immunisation and Vaccine Development Programme at the WHO Regional Office for Africa from 2014 until early 2022. Between April 2022 and February 2024, Mihigo was the Global Lead and Senior Director for Covid-19 Vaccine Delivery, Coordination, and Integration at Gavi. 

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