Tanzania is renewing its push for Prof Mohamed Janabi to become the next World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa. The move comes after Tanzania’s previous nominee, Dr Faustine Ndugulile, won the seat last August but tragically died in November before taking office.
Ndugulile’s win marked a historic moment for Tanzania and the East African Community (EAC). He would have assumed duties on February 1, succeeding Dr Matshidiso Moeti of Botswana. The position is currently held on an interim basis by a senior WHO official, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu of Nigeria.
With Ndugulile’s death, Tanzania is now rallying behind Prof Janabi, a leading cardiologist and public health expert, to retain the post. Prof Janabi, 62, is the executive director of Muhimbili National Hospital, the country’s top referral in Dar es Salaam. He is also the special advisor on health to President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Previously, he was the founding director of the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute, a leading heart disease treatment centre in East Africa. He also served as a personal physician to former President Jakaya Kikwete.
He holds a medical degree from the Kharkiv Medical Institute in Ukraine and has further qualifications from institutions including the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and the University of Queensland.
In addition to his clinical expertise, he is a well-known advocate for public health education ad regularly engages the public through media discussions on wellness and disease prevention.
Prof Janabi faces competition from four other candidates, all from French-speaking West African countries. They are Dr N’da Konan Michel Yao (Côte d'Ivoire), Dr Dramé Mohammed Lamine (Guinea), Dr Boureima Hama Sambo (Niger) and Prof Mijiyawa Moustafa (Togo).
The country has launched a vigorous diplomatic campaign to win support for its candidate.
Prof Janabi was formally unveiled at a joint EAC and Southern African Development Community (SADC) foreign ministers’ meeting in Zimbabwe on Monday. Later the same day, he accompanied Tanzania’s foreign minister, Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, to the Harare State House for a private introduction as the bloc’s candidate to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the current SADC chairman.
Tanzania’s foreign ministry is also using its embassies and social media to drum up support.
Janabi’s vision for WHO Africa
In an interview in Nigeria on Tuesday, Prof Janabi outlined his priorities, which include transforming healthcare in Africa through innovative health financing models and public-private partnerships.
He said he would work to blend financing mechanisms that combine government funds, international aid and private investment in key areas such as pharmaceutical production within the continent to reduce dependence on imports of vaccines and essential drugs from overseas.
“If WHO Africa were a company, Africans would be minority shareholders. We must take ownership of our health agenda.”
He said that strengthening universal health coverage, enhancing pandemic preparedness, and improving operational efficiency and regional collaboration within the WHO Africa structure were key.
“Africa’s future depends on proactive health investments. We cannot afford to wait for crises before acting,” he said.
What’s next?
The WHO Regional Committee for Africa has set up an accelerated process to replace Ndugulile.
Following last week’s shortlisting of the five contenders, a live virtual forum for the candidates will be held on April 2. This will be followed by a secret ballot vote at WHO’s headquarters in Geneva on May 18. The winning name will then be forwarded to the WHO Executive Board for final approval.
WHO regional directors are appointed for an initial five-year term, with the possibility of reappointment for one additional term.
Tanzania is banking on both its regional influence and a sympathy vote in the wake of Ndugulile’s passing. Prof Janabi’s success would reinforce Tanzania’s growing role in shaping Africa’s health policy and leadership.
