By Onoja Baba, Nigeria
The World Health Organization’s Africa Regional Director-elect, Dr. Faustine Ndugulile, has died at the age of 55, sending shockwaves across the global health community.
The WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, on his X handle expressed shock at the passing of Ndugulile on Wednesday.
Dr. Tedros expressed shock and sorrow over the passing of Dr. Faustine Ndugulile, describing it as a profound loss. “Shocked and deeply saddened to learn about the sudden passing of Dr. Faustine Ndugulile, @WHOAFRO Regional Director-elect. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends, and the parliament and people of #Tanzania,” he wrote on X.
Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the outgoing WHO Africa Regional Director, also mourned the loss, calling it an immense tragedy. “I’m deeply saddened and shocked about the sudden passing of Dr. Faustine Ndugulile, @WHOAFRO Regional Director-elect. It’s an immense loss. My entire team @WHOAFRO and I send our sincere and heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, the government, and the people of Tanzania,” she posted.
Similarly, the WHO Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Mulombo Kazadi, expressed devastation in his tribute. “We didn’t need this now. We are devastated. Sad news for Africa and the world. We give glory to Almighty God because only Him knows why. We thank God for his life and the inspiration he brought, albeit for a very short time. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” he wrote.
Born in 1969, Ndugulile’s career spanned decades of dedicated service to public health and governance. In August 2024, African member states unanimously nominated him as the next WHO Africa Regional Director during the 74th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo.
He was set to succeed Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, who had completed two transformative terms leading the organization.
Ndugulile’s formal appointment was scheduled for February 2025 at the WHO Executive Board session in Geneva, Switzerland. However, his untimely death has left a void in the global health landscape and cast a shadow over the transition of leadership in the African Region.
Tributes have poured in from across the world. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus expressed profound sorrow, writing on X: *“Shocked and deeply saddened to learn about the sudden passing of Dr. Faustine Ndugulile, @WHOAFRO Regional Director-elect. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends, and the parliament and people of #Tanzania.”*
Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the outgoing WHO Africa Regional Director, also expressed her grief: *“I’m deeply saddened and shocked about the sudden passing of Dr. Faustine Ndugulile. It’s an immense loss. My entire team @WHOAFRO and I send our sincere & heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, the government, and the people of Tanzania.”*
In Nigeria, WHO Country Representative Dr. Mulombo Kazadi reflected the collective disbelief in the health community, posting: *“We didn’t need this now. We are devastated. Sad news for Africa and the world. We give glory to Almighty God because only Him knows why. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”*
Tanzanian President Samia Hassan also paid tribute to her compatriot, describing his passing as a monumental loss for the nation.
Ndugulile’s death marks the end of a promising chapter in the leadership of African public health. His legacy as a dedicated servant of the people will continue to inspire future efforts to improve healthcare across the continent.
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