A tragic untimely death - a call to action for African leaders to invest in health development
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The Regional Director-elect for the World Health Organisation’s Africa region, Dr Faustine Ndugulile 55, passed away three days ago on Wednesday, whilst receiving medical treatment in India for an undisclosed illness according to Tulia Ackson, Tanzania’s speaker of parliament. His passing is not only tragic and untimely. It is shocking for his family, friends and colleagues. Beyond that, it is a great loss for the continent of Africa that needed his leadership and commitment to improve healthcare for Africans. President Samia Suluhu Hassan expressed condolences on social media platform X, calling his death “devastating,"
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Dr Ndugulile was elected as the WHO’s African director in August 2024. He was set to start his new role in February 2025. He would have taken over from Dr. Matshidiso Moeti who served in the role for two terms. In his acceptance speech, Ndugulile expressed a firm commitment to advancing the health and well-being of people in Africa. His passing is a big blow for the continent of Africa. It is a loss that will be keenly felt moreso because it comes at a time when more than ever, the continent of Africa needs champions for improving the health of Africans, the kind of leaders who are committed and willing to go above and beyond to do what it takes to get that done.
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Before his nomination as the next regional director for Africa, he served as a member of parliament for Kigamboni Constituency in Tanzania's commercial capital, Dar es Salaam. He was also the East African country's health assistant minister between 2017-2020 and the information and communication minister until 2021. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his friends and his colleagues at the WHO and around the world. Speaker Tulia Ackson announced that the government of Tanzania is making plans to repatriate his body with funeral plans would follow later.
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The fact that Dr Ndugulile died whilst receiving treatment in India highlights a major challenge facing millions of African families. Often times, many African families are forced to make the choice whether to seek treatment abroad because the services they need are not available in their own country. Sometimes, healthcare services may be available but inaccessible because they are too expensive or the quality of healthcare is poor. We may not know what ailed Dr Ndugulile. Nevertheless, can be surmised that the reason he left his home in Tanzania to seek treatment in India was because for one reason or another, he could get the care that he needed in Tanzania.
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Africa has lost a son and a leader still in the prime of his life. With so much work to be done, this is huge setback for Tanzania and for the continent of Africa. It is nevertheless a poignant reminder to leaders across the African continent of the enormous unfinished business of investing in health development to improve populations health so that families can get healthcare services of good quality closer to home and at a cost they can afford. Dr Ndugulile’s passing, like that of so many others who lose their lives here at home and abroad, must spur African leaders to work harder to catalase investment in health development across the continent for the benefit of all who live on the African continent. Doing so would be the only fitting tribute to a life of one who has dedicated his life to public service and was on the cusp of a journey to do just that for millions of Africans. May his soul rest in peace.
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Pharmaceutical Chemist-Natural Product Drug Lead discovery/ Lab.Analyst - Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority/ QECs Alumnus
2 个月Ooohhh no this man is long gone! Charity Siyanga...
Health Administration and Management | Project Management | Regulatory Affairs Enthusiast | ISO 9001:2015 Auditor | People Management.
2 个月What a sad moment for Africa but especially the health sector. Worst is that a son of ours who dedicated his life to Africa had to go somewhere to get treatment, Africa must do better to slavage it's sons and daughters from such. Rest well comrade
Neonatologist
3 个月May God comfort his families, colleagues, Tanzanians and the WHO’s Africa region. This tragic loss serves as a painful reminder of the harsh realities faced daily by millions of African families. Illness is none discriminatory; it strikes the wealthy and the poor alike, without prejudice. As opined in this article, there is a monumental challenge in addressing the deficiencies in healthcare across the African continent. Upgrading healthcare systems demands urgent attention to infrastructure, workforce development, and affordability. The maternal and infant mortality rates, as well as the morbidity and mortality from preventable diseases, are unacceptably high. It is particularly heartbreaking to note that Africa produces some of the world’s best-trained doctors; they are renowned worldwide. Yet, in their home countries, their potential is hindered by the lack of forward-thinking policies and inadequate support. This must change. It is time to prioritize and invest in sustainable healthcare systems to ensure a brighter, healthier future
Internal Medicine (TB &HIV, DM)
3 个月I sympathized with the family and industrious son of Africa; who died untimeously due to surgical complications. May his soul in Peace. To us, may God give us the fortitude to bear the loss! Amen.
Senior Supply Chain Officer
3 个月May his soul rest in peace..this is indeed a wake up call for African leaders to advance healthcare development in the continent.