By Jean Durand
Geneva, Switzerland – Professor Mohamed Janabi of Tanzania has been elected as the new World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa. The election took place during a Special Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa in Geneva on Sunday, held ahead of the World Health Assembly.
Prof. Janabi’s election follows a period of transition for the WHO Africa region, marked by the appointment of Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu as the Executive Director of the World Health Organization Health Emergencies Programme. Dr. Ihekweazu had been serving as the acting WHO Regional Director for Africa since February 2025, following the unexpected passing of Dr. Faustine Engelbert Ndugulile, who was elected to the position in August 2024.
Born on December 25th, 1962, Prof. Janabi currently serves as the Senior Advisor on Health Matters to Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and is the Executive Director of Muhimbili National Hospital in Tanzania. He previously served as the Executive Director of the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute in Dar es Salaam from 2014 to 2022.
Prof. Janabi’s vision for the region, as outlined in his curriculum vitae, focuses on building a “healthier, resilient, and prosperous Africa where everyone has access to quality healthcare, supported by equitable, innovative, and sustainable systems that ensure optimal well-being.”
His priorities include Universal Health Coverage, maternal and child health, combating communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases, Primary Health Care, climate-resilient health systems, health security, innovation and research, partnerships and collaboration, antimicrobial resistance, and strengthening domestic health financing.
Prof. Janabi boasts an impressive academic background, holding a postdoctoral fellowship in Cardiology from Osaka University Hospital, Japan; a PhD in Cardiology from the Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan; a Master of Tropical Health from Queensland Medical School, Australia; and a Doctor of Medicine from Kharkov Medical Institute, Ukraine. He also holds honorary professorships at the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences and the Medical University of South Carolina, USA.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Prof. Janabi is known for his passion for sports and contribution to its development in Tanzania. He served as a board member of Simba Sports Club from 2018 to June 2024, a period in which the club achieved a CAF ranking of seven. Currently, he leads the Drug and Doping Committee for the East Africa-hosted AFCON 2027, underscoring his commitment to fair play and integrity.
WHO Director General, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, extended his congratulations to Prof. Janabi via X, stating, “You have earned the confidence and trust of the Member States of the region. This is a great privilege, and a very great responsibility. I assure you of my support and that of my colleagues in Geneva.”
Dr. Kazadi Mulombo, the WHO Representative in Nigeria, also offered his congratulations, expressing his anticipation for working under Prof. Janavi’s leadership and contributing to his vision of a “healthier, better, and more competitive Africa.” Below is Prof. Mohamed Yakub Janabi’s profile.
Prof. Mohamed Yakub Janabi
Accreditations & Qualifications
- MD., MSc., PhD. and Fellow of American College of Cardiology (FACC)
- Certified Aviation Medical Examiner by FAA-USA
Career
- CEO – MNH, Oct 2022 – Present
- CEO- JKCI, 2015 – Sept 2022
- Head, Physician to former President of United Republic of Tanzania (2005 – Present)
- Faculty Member of Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) (2000 – Present)
- Faculty Member of Medical University of South Carolina, USA (2003 – Present)
Corporate Governance Experience
- Council Member MUHAS – Oct 2022 – Present
- Board Member Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute – Oct 2022 – Present
- Board Member Ocean Road Cancer Institute – Oct 2022 – Present
- Board Member SUA (2015 – Present)
- Senior Researcher Scientist HIV Vaccine Trial (TaMoVac) (1998-2002)
- Medical Director at Madaktari Africa, a USA-based NGO (Tanzania)
CEO Muhimbili National Hospital
Note
- Prof. Janabi has made over 83 publications
- Prof. has a good command of Kiswahili, English, Russian, and Japanese
- He is a husband
