- Tanzania has officially introduced Prof. Mohamed Janabi for WHO Africa Director candidacy.
- Prof Janabi is a member of faculty at Medical University of South Carolina, USA, and has over 83 medical publications.
- He speaks at least four languages including Russian, and Japanese.
Professor Mohamed Janabi has been selected by Tanzania as the country’s candidate for the post of World Health Organisation (WHO) Africa Region Director.
Prof Janabi is a member of faculty at the Medical University of South Carolina, USA, and is currently a special envoy to the Tanzanian President, as Senior Advisor on Health and Nutrition matters.
Following his nomination, he will be in the race to become the new WHO Africa Director following the death of regional director elect, Dr Faustine Ndugulile, on November 27, 2024.
The medic is a distinguished public health expert with several decades of experience, and has held various senior positions in both national and international health organisations.
Tanzania’s candidate, comes a week after WHO made public the list of names of all candidates that are vying for the post. His’s nomination to compete for the position was announced by Tanzania’s the Minister for Health, Jenister Mhagama on Monday.
“According to the list unveiled by WHO, Prof Janabi, the sole candidate from Sub-Saharan Africa will compete with candidates from West African countries,” a media communique announced.
The Prof., who is also the Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) Executive Director, will be vying for the WHO Africa top position on the continent against three other candidates. The other candidates are Dr N’da Konan Michel Yao from Ivory Coast, Dr Dramé Mohammed Lamine from Guinea Conakry and Prof. Mijiyawa Moustafa from Togo.
Why Prof Janabi is best for WHO Africa top job
Prof Janabi has made over 83 medical publications and has good command of Kiswahili, English, Russian, and Japanese languages, implying that he can communicate with a wide number of stakeholders at regional and global engagements.
Additionally, he has an impeccable records in the various senior positions that he has held in both national and international health organizations. According to Tanzania, these credentials will see him serve to enhance health leadership across the African continent based on his proven track record.
“His leadership, professionalism and experience, make him the best candidate,” commented Tanzania’s Minister for Health, Jenister Mhagama.
“The announcement, made during a press conference in the capital city, Dodoma, was met with applause from government officials, health professionals and local citizens alike, all expressing confidence in Janabi’s leadership abilities,” details a press release circulated thereafter.
A husband and a father, the health expert has been the head physician to all Tanzanian presidents since 2005. He is a Certified Aviation Medical Examiner by FAA-USA. Whats more, he has been CEO of the Muhimbili National Hospital, the largest and most accredited medical facility in the country since October 2022.
He has been faculty Member of Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) (2000 – present) and also faculty Member of Medical University of South Carolina, USA (2003 – present).
He also holds a remarkable corporate governance experience having been a Council Member Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) from October 2022 todate.
Furthermore, he is a Board Member of the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute, another top medical facility in East Africa, since October 2022. He is Board Member of the Ocean Road Cancer Institute as well as Board Member SUA (2015 – present).
Previously, he served as Senior Researcher Scientist HIV Vaccine Trial (TaMoVac) (1998-2002) and is Medical Director at Madaktari Africa, a USA-based NGO with operation in Tanzania.
WHO regional director election process
The WHO Regional Office for Africa recently released a statement explaining that the names of the candidates for the top post were sent by WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and to the relevant Member States.
“Following the death of Dr Ndugulile, WHO Regional Committee for Africa held a special session virtually on January14, 2025 to decide on the procedure of the election of the next Regional Director,” reads the statement in part.
It added; “The committee decided on an accelerated procedure to nominate and appoint the next regional director.”
The statement also explains that the member states were invited to submit proposals for the post of regional director by February 28, this year. Thereafter, a virtual live candidates’ forum will be held on April 2nd 2025.
Yesterday, the government through the Minister for Health, Jenister Mhagama told journalists that basing on the benefits of the position itself, Tanzania was well determined to secure the crucial slot.
In what can be described as a bold move to enhance health leadership across the African continent, Tanzania, based on professionalism and experience, the Minister said Prof Janabi, is the best candidate.
The announcement, made during a press conference in the capital city, Dodoma, was met with applause from government officials, health professionals and local citizens alike, all expressing confidence in Prof Janabi’s leadership abilities.
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