Faustine Ndugulile, the incoming World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, has passed away.
Ndugulile reportedly died while receiving treatment in India, as confirmed by Tanzania’s Parliament Speaker on Wednesday.
The exact cause of death has not been disclosed for Ndugulile, who served as a Member of Parliament for a constituency in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s commercial capital.
The 55-year-old former Tanzanian Deputy Health Minister had been nominated as the new WHO Africa Chief in August, with plans to take office in February 2025 for a five-year term.
Tulia Ackson, Speaker of Tanzania’s National Assembly, said she received the news “with great sorrow” and that funeral arrangements would be announced later. “His death is a great loss,” she added.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed being “shocked and deeply saddened” by the sudden death, while the current WHO Africa Regional Director, Matshidiso Moeti, said she was “deeply saddened and shocked” as well. “It’s an immense loss,” she posted on X.
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan also shared her condolences on social media.
