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Faustine Ndugulile

Faustine Engelbert Ndugulile (31 March 1969 – 27 November 2024) was a Tanzanian CCM politician who was a Member of Parliament for the Kigamboni constituency from 2010 until his death in 2024.[1]

Early life and education

Ndugulile was born in Tanzania and pursued his medical degree at the University of Dar es Salaam, graduating in 1997.[2] He specialized in public health, focusing on diagnostics and epidemiology. His advanced training included working in regional programmes on African public health issues, further broadening his expertise in health systems management.

He went on to earn master's degrees in microbiology and immunology from the University of Dar es Salaam in 2001, and in public health from the University of Western Cape in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2010.[2]

Career

Ndugulile had a diverse career in medicine, public health, and politics. He began as a public health physician and rose to prominent leadership roles, including Assistant Director of Diagnostic Services in Tanzania. He also served as Programme Manager for Blood Safety, where he led nationwide initiatives to improve the quality and accessibility of diagnostic and transfusion services.

On the international stage, he worked with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a Resident Adviser in South Africa, contributing to regional health systems and epidemic response planning.[2]

In 2010, Ndugulile transitioned to politics, becoming the Member of Parliament for Kigamboni Constituency. His legislative focus included health policy, technology, and infrastructure.

Ndugulile was appointed Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elders and Children (Tanzania) by the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, John Pombe Joseph Magufuli in October 2017.[3]

After the 2020 Tanzanian general election, on 5 December 2020, in Magufuli's second cabinet he was appointed the first Minister of Communication & ICT, a newly created ministry.[4]

WHO leadership

In August 2024 he was nominated as the next Regional Director for the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region.[5]

Death

Ndugulile died on 27 November 2024, at the age of 55, while undergoing medical treatment in India for an unspecified illness. He had been due to take his position in the WHO in February 2025.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Member of Parliament CV". Parliament of Tanzania. 2010. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  2. ^ a b c Green, Andrew (8 February 2025). "Faustine Ndugulile". The Lancet. 405 (10477): 460. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(25)00204-1. ISSN 0140-6736. PMID 39923793.
  3. ^ "Fired Tanzanian Health deputy minister Ndugulile speaks out on his sacking". The Citizen. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  4. ^ Kolumbia, Louis (7 December 2020). "Tanzania: Magufuli's Unveils His Cabinet 30 Days After Taking Oath". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  5. ^ "Dr Faustine Engelbert Ndugulile of Tanzania nominated as next director for WHO African Region", World Health Organization, 27 August 2024
  6. ^ "WHO Africa director-elect dies while receiving treatment in India". ABC News. 27 November 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.