By Lake Zone Watch Writer
Tanzania’s Member of Parliament and the Africa regional director-elect of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Faustine Ndungulile, is dead.
National Assembly speaker, Dr Tulia Ackson, announced on Wednesday that the 55-year-old lawmaker died on Wednesday morning while on treatment in India.
In a brief statement to the media, the parliamentary office in the administrative capital, Dodoma, did not mention the MP’s cause of death, only saying he was undergoing treatment in India.
The statement said the parliament office is collaborating with the deceased’s family for burial arrangements.
In August this year, Dr Ndungulile attracted media headlines, when he was chosen the World Health Organisation (WHO) Africa Regional Director after he defeated four other candidates from Niger, Senegal, Ivory Coast and Rwanda.
He was to take up his new appointment early next year.
In the dynamic realm of Tanzanian public health, Dr. Ndugulile was a leading figure of authority and beacon of humility and passionate leadership.
His unwavering commitment to transforming healthcare and community welfare, earned him respect at home and abroad, leading to his selection as the best choice to carry Africa’s destiny in public health.
In August Tanzanians and well-wishers were caught in a jubilant mood when they heard of the selection of Dr Ndungulile, the WHO Regional director-elect, hoping that the continent’s fight against diseases and the challenges impeding delivery of health services would get an added impetus.
The departed medical expert was born in Mbulu, Manyara region, on March 31, 1969, and pursued his medical studies at home and abroad.
He served in the Tanzanian government as Deputy Minister of Health and Minister of information, Communication and Information Technology respectively.
Meanwhile, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, in a condolence message sent to parliamentary speaker, Dr Tulia Ackson, has expressed her grief at Dr Ndungulile’s demise, saying Tanzanians have lost a committed leader.