DAR ES SALAAM: TEARS flowed freely as mourners gathered at Karimjee grounds in Dar es Salaam to bid a tearful farewell to Dr Faustine Ndugulile, the Kigamboni Member of Parliament and World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Africa Regional Director-Elect.
Faces etched with sorrow, some weeping openly, others with heads bowed in quiet mourning, the crowd was united in its grief. When the hearse carrying Dr Ndugulile’s casket, draped in the Tanzanian flag, arrived, a deep, sorrowful silence swept over the crowd.
The weight of the loss was palpable, as mourners, from government leaders to everyday citizens, stood together in reverence, their collective sadness echoing through the rain-soaked grounds.
The only sounds that filled the air were the soft hum of prayers and the splash of footsteps in the rain-soaked grounds.
Pallbearers moved solemnly, their actions deliberate and measured as they carried the casket through the puddles, a scene that reflected the gravity of the loss. Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Tulia Ackson, addressed the mourners, her voice filled with emotion.
“The passing of Dr Ndugulile leaves a profound void in our hearts and in the public health landscape of not just our nation, but the entire African continent,” she said “Dr Ndugulile was not only an accomplished physician and public health expert but also a visionary leader and a role model, dedicating his life to improving health services and ensuring access to quality care for all Tanzanians.”
Dr Ackson acknowledged the late Dr Ndugulile’s groundbreaking efforts in combating diseases, strengthening health systems and promoting maternal and child health.
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She also highlighted the significance of his recent election as the WHO Africa Regional Director, calling it a testament to his global influence and the deep respect he commanded in the international community.
The Secretary General of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi also spoke with deep reverence. “A great leader is one who cares for the people, identifies their problems, seeks solutions, remains humble and respects others above all. Dr Ndugulile embodied this philosophy in every aspect of his life,” he said.
“Today, we say goodbye to a hero of CCM, whose legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.” A Member of Parliament, Halima Mdee spoke on behalf of her colleagues, describing Dr Ndugulile as a man of integrity, courage and unwavering commitment to the truth. “He was no hypocrite,” she said, her voice steady despite the sorrow.
“If he had something to say, he would speak the truth, no matter the consequences. If something was blue, he would call it blue not gray, not red, but blue.”
“He was not afraid of the fallout from his words,” Ms Mdee continued. “Whether it was a difficult truth or painful reality, he believed in honesty above all. That courage to stand firm, regardless of what it might cost him, is what made him extraordinary.”
WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr Rebecca Moeti said that Dr Ndugulile was a public health champion, a visionary leader who dedicated his service to the people of Tanzania and Africa.
She said, he was a man of conviction who believed in the transformative power of science and has proved through his work that his application in health policy and action could deliver concrete and significant improvements in peoples’ lives and health.
