Korede Abdullah in Lagos
Tanzania has nominated Professor Mohamed Janabi for the position of Regional Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) for Africa.
This comes after the sudden passing of Dr. Faustine Ndugulile, who was set to assume the role but died on November 27, 2024, while receiving medical treatment in India.
Dr. Ndugulile had made history as the first Tanzanian and East African to win the election for the WHO Africa post.
Following his death, WHO appointed Nigeria’s Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu as interim regional director and reopened the selection process.
Dr. Janabi, a distinguished cardiologist and public health expert, currently serves as the Executive Director of Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar es Salaam and is a health advisor to President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
His nomination comes at a time when Africa faces increasing health challenges, including emerging infectious diseases and the growing burden of non-communicable diseases.
“My unique combination of experience, strategic vision, and commitment to health equity makes me the ideal candidate,” said Dr. Janabi. He emphasized his leadership in healthcare systems, innovative problem-solving, and deep understanding of Africa’s diverse health challenges.
If elected, Dr. Janabi envisions a healthier, more resilient Africa with strong, inclusive healthcare systems. “This will be achieved through the creation of resilient, inclusive, and sustainable health systems across the continent,” he stated.
His key priorities include strengthening primary healthcare, improving nutrition services, expanding access to essential medicines, and leveraging technology to bridge healthcare gaps.
He also stressed the need to combat both communicable and non-communicable diseases by enhancing early detection, immunization efforts, and surveillance systems.
“By empowering community health workers—the backbone of primary health care—I will ensure that every individual is reached within their communities,” he said.
However, Dr. Janabi faces strong competition, as four other candidates from French-speaking West African nations are also vying for the position.
These include Togo’s Professor Moustafa Mijiyawa, Niger’s Dr. Boureima Hama Sambo, Guinea’s Dr. Mohamed Lamine Drame, and Côte d’Ivoire’s Dr. N’da Konan Michel Yao.
Each candidate brings unique expertise and a vision for improving Africa’s health systems. Despite the competition, Dr. Janabi remains focused on his goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage and strengthening Africa’s healthcare infrastructure.
“Prioritizing urgent challenges, such as emerging zoonotic diseases, would be central to advocacy for the implementation of a One Health approach,” he affirmed.
