Tanzanian, Dr Ntuli, declared new ECSA-HC boss

TANZANIA: THE Director of Preventive Services at the Ministry of Health, Dr Ntuli Kapologwe, has been declared the new Director General for the East, Central, and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC) after defeating six other candidates vying for the post.

The Tanzanian national takes over from Prof. Yoswa Dambisya of Uganda, who has served two five-year terms.

According to the specific criteria set in the community’s agreements, Dr. Ntuli Kapologwe will serve a five-year term.

After the election process which concluded yesterday in Lilongwe, Malawi, Health Minister Ms Jenista Mhagama congratulated Dr Ntuli, saying that a total of 47 applicants had submitted their profiles when the election process began.

Of these, seven, including the Tanzanian, were shortlisted after the initial screening.

Explaining the process, Minister Mhagama stated that after interviews conducted by a committee composed of Health Permanent Secretaries of member states, Dr Kapologwe scored the highest marks and proceeded to the final stage alongside two other candidates from Kenya and Malawi.

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She further stated that the names of the three finalists were presented to the East, Central, and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC) Conference, where Dr Kapologwe emerged victorious.

“This victory further affirms Tanzania’s capability to provide highly qualified professionals for leadership positions in regional and international organizations, significantly contributing to the improvement of healthcare services,” said Minister Mhagama.

“This is the second time Tanzania has secured this position in the 51-year history of the community. The first time was when a Tanzanian, Dr Winny Mpanju, served as Director General from 1983 to 2000. It is a great achievement for Tanzania to regain this position after 27 years,” she added.

Following the victory, Tanzanian delegates celebrated the achievement, congratulating Dr Ntuli, whose name had been endorsed by President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

The ECSA-HC was established in 1974 and comprises nine member states, namely Tanzania, Malawi, Kenya, Lesotho, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Uganda, and Eswatini.

It also collaborates with 13 non-member states, including Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Eritrea, Gabon, Liberia, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Sudan, Sudan, and Somalia.

The community is responsible for fostering and strengthening regional cooperation in addressing health issues among member states, including tackling challenges in the health sector and sharing