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Zawya
20-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Tanzania's Mohamed Janabi picked to head WHO Africa
The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Sunday nominated Tanzania's Prof Mohamed Janabi to be its new regional director for Africa, beating three other candidates from French-speaking West African countries. Prof Janabi, 63, received 32 of the 46 country votes in just one ballot round at the special nomination session convened by the WHO Regional Committee for Africa in Geneva. He is filling the vacancy left by Dr Faustine Ndugulile, also from Tanzania, who had won the nomination in August last year, but died unexpectedly in November before he could assume office. The other candidates in the virtual election were Dr Michel N'da Konan Yao (Cote d'Ivoire), Dr Mohamed Lamine Dramé (Guinea) and Prof Moustafa Mijiyawa (Togo). The election proceedings were transmitted virtually for public viewing for the first time in keeping with WHO's new transparency guidelines. Delegates from the various countries congratulated Prof Janabi after the vote, saying they had been particularly impressed by his 'visionary' plan to bring African countries together to navigate the new financing challenges facing the continent's healthcare programmes, and by the 'passion' he showed in presenting it. The election took place at a time of major restructuring within the entire WHO structure, prompted by the United States' withdrawal from the organisation earlier this year, taking with it a big chunk of funding support. Prof Janabi's proposed solution, which appears to have resonated with the majority of the voting countries, is to develop a strategy for pooling the resources of each WHO Africa member state — big and small — and to devise a programme of collaboration so that no country is left behind.'Our challenge in Africa is not a one size fits all,' he said. 'Some countries are already well ahead of others in terms of progress in their healthcare sectors, and there is also the question of differences in levels of economic growth. So obviously the problems will be different for each country.''One of my first priorities will be to talk to each of the 47-member states and gauge the weaknesses and strengths of each. My intention is to do a DNA of who has what, map the many unsung resources already available among us, and build collaborations that will benefit the entire continent. This will be key to how I operate, because there is no better time to do that than now.'Read: Mohamed Janabi: Africa should be self-reliant in public healthProf Janabi's nomination is now up for endorsement by the WHO Executive Board in July, which is expected to be a mere formality. He will then serve an initial five-year term in office, after which he is eligible for a second term of the same length. © Copyright 2022 Nation Media Group. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
19-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Professor Mohamed Yakub Janabi of Tanzania nominated as next director of World Health Organization (WHO) African Region
Professor Mohamed Yakub Janabi was today nominated as the next Regional Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region during a Special Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa held in Geneva ahead of the World Health Assembly. The Special Session by Member States of the WHO African Region to elect the next Regional Director was agreed upon and organized following the sudden and untimely death of Regional Director-elect, Dr Faustine Ndugulile in November 2024. Other candidates were Dr N'da Konan Michel Yao (proposed by Cote d'Ivoire), Dr Mohamed Lamine Dramé (proposed by Guinea), and Professor Moustafa Mijiyawa (proposed by Togo). Professor Janabi's nomination will be submitted for appointment by the 157th session of the WHO Executive Board, which takes place from 28 to 29 May 2025 in Geneva. The newly appointed Regional Director will take office thereafter for a five-year term and be eligible for reappointment once. In his acceptance remarks, Professor Janabi expressed commitment to advancing health of the people of the region. 'Thank you for your trust in me. I will not let you down. Your support underscores our collective resolve to build a healthier stronger and more united Africa,' said Professor Janabi. 'As we face challenges ranging from infectious diseases, noncommunicable diseases to climate change and limited health financing, we must harness African resilience and unity.' Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, congratulated Dr Professor Janabi on his nomination as Regional Director for Africa and praised the other candidates on their campaigns. 'I offer my warm congratulations to Professor Janabi on his nomination as Regional Director for Africa, and also to the United Republic of Tanzania. I also thank Dr Yao, Dr Lamine and Professor Mijiyawa on their campaigns for this challenging but extremely important position,' said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. 'Professor Janabi will take the reins at an unprecedented time for the African Region, and WHO as a whole. We are grateful for his experience and expertise as we work together to navigate the challenges we face, and position our Organization to be stronger, sharper and more effective in the future. I look forward to his appointment by the Executive Board, and to working with him for a healthier, safer, fairer Africa," said Dr Tedros. Dr Tedros also thanked Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Acting WHO Regional Director for Africa, for his service in steering the Regional Office during the transition period following the end of the term of former Regional Director Dr Matshidiso Moeti. Dr Ihekweazu congratulated Professor Janabi, wishing him success as he takes up the new role. 'Congratulations Professor Janabi on your election. This is a true reflection of the trust that Member States have placed in you. The African region has made important strides in health. But it also faces real and complex challenges. You can count on my support and that of all of WHO Africa as you take on this new role to serve our people,' said Dr Ihekweazu. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.
