Tanzania nominates renowned cardiologist Prof. Janabi for WHO Africa Regional Director role
By Mwangi Maina |
President Samia Suluhu Hassan made the announcement following the death of Dr. Faustine Ndugulile.
Tanzania has nominated Prof. Mohammed Yakub Janabi, Executive Director of Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), as its candidate for the role of World Health Organization (WHO) Africa Regional Director, following the death of Dr. Faustine Ndugulile.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan made this announcement during an event in Zanzibar on Monday, emphasising that after reviewing multiple CVs, Prof. Janabi emerged as the most suitable choice for this prestigious position.
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"Let me reveal this today... We reviewed more than five CVs and concluded that Prof. Janabi is well-suited to take over from Dr. Ndugulile. Therefore, we are preparing you to vie for this position when the time comes. Be ready," President Samia declared.
Prof. Janabi, a renowned cardiologist, has an illustrious career that spans clinical practice, research, and corporate governance.
Since October 2022, he has served as the Executive Director of MNH, where he leads Tanzania's largest referral hospital with over 2,200 beds and a workforce of 4,000.
His tenure has been marked by transformative healthcare advancements, including fostering international collaborations to improve critical care and pediatric services.
Prior to this, he was the inaugural CEO of the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI), where he transformed the institute into a centre of excellence for cardiovascular care in East Africa, reducing referrals abroad by 95%.
Extensive qualifications
Prof. Janabi's extensive qualifications include a PhD in Cardiology from Osaka University, Japan, and multiple fellowships, including one with the American College of Cardiology.
He is also a Certified Aviation Medical Examiner and has served as a senior research scientist on the TaMoVac HIV vaccine trial.
With over 83 academic publications and fluency in Kiswahili, English, Russian, and Japanese, his contributions to global health are widely recognized according to his CV.
President Samia's decision highlights Tanzania's commitment to showcasing its health expertise on the global stage.
Prof. Janabi's nomination is supported by his vast experience and dedication to improving healthcare, making him a formidable candidate to lead WHO's Africa Regional Office.
His work has not only elevated Tanzania's medical services but also fostered international partnerships with countries like Israel, Saudi Arabia, and China to enhance healthcare capacity.
Dr. Ndugulile's unexpected death on November 27, 2024, left a significant gap in Tanzania's international health representation, as he was set to assume the WHO post in March 2025.
According to his publicly shared CV, Prof. Janabi played a key role in facilitating the USD 364,000,000 soft loan from Korea Exim Bank for the development of Muhimbili Hospital due to start in early 2025.
He indicates he is a leader in sports health and anti-doping, and he serves as chairperson of the medical and doping committee for AFCON2027.
Prof. Janabi's candidacy reflects a seamless continuation of Tanzania's vision for health leadership on the continent.
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