The Health and Medical Advisor to the President of Tanzania, who is also the Executive Director of the National Hospital Muhimbili, Professor Mohamed Yakub Janabi, has been officially announced as Tanzania's representative in the election for the Director of the World Health Organization's Africa Region.
This follows the passing of the appointed candidate, Dr .Faustine Ndugulile .
According to a statement on the WHO website, Professor Janabi is one of five candidates whose names will be voted on during the election scheduled for May 18, 2025, in Geneva.
Also, he is the only candidate from sub-Saharan Africa, while the other four candidates hail from West African countries, including Dr. N’da Konan Michel Yao from Ivory Coast, Dr. Dramé Mohammed Lamine from Guinea, Dr. Boureima Hama Sambo from Niger, and Professor Mijiyawa Moustafa from Togo.
The Regional Director will be elected through a vote in a closed session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, which convened on January 14, 2025, and opted for an expedited process to select the Regional Director instead of the usual lengthy procedure.