The announcement was made by the Speaker of the Tanzanian National Assembly on Wednesday.
Dr. Ndugulile, a former deputy health minister and member of parliament for a constituency in Dar es Salaam, passed away on Tuesday night in India, where he was undergoing medical treatment, according to Tulia Ackson, who expressed her “great sadness” over his passing.
No further details were provided regarding the nature of the treatment or the cause of his death.
Appointed as WHO’s regional director for Africa in August, Dr. Ndugulile was expected to assume his role in February 2025 for a five-year term.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed his shock and deep sorrow at the news of Ndugulile’s sudden passing.
“It is a significant loss,” commented WHO’s current regional director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, on X, reflecting the shared grief within the organization.
TE/lb/abj/APA with AFP