Prof. Mohamed Yakub Janabi: Tanzanian doctor eyeing WHO Africa Regional Director post

The World Health Organization (WHO) regional office in Africa found itself in an unprecedented situation when its Director Dr. Faustine Ndugulile succumbed while receiving medical treatment in India.

Ndugulile, a Tanzania-based politician, had won the election three months prior and was set to succeed Dr. Matshidiso Moeti from Botswana who served in that position for a decade.

Following the tragic incident, WHO officials held a meeting in January 2025 and decided to field new candidates for the role.

Four candidates now seek to take up the position, including another candidate from Tanzania; Professor Janabi Mohamed Yakub. 

Yakub will be going up against Dr. N'da Konan ​​​​​​​Michel Yao of ​​​​Côte d'Ivoire, Dr. Dramé Mohammed Lamine of Guinea and Togo's professor Mijiyawa ​​​​​​​Moustafa. 

Prof. Yakub's pedigree is undeniable as he has played a key role in shaping Tanzania's policies to achieve Universal Health Coverage. 

For the past two decades, he has served as a health diplomat and a senior advisor to the Tanzanian government, working with former President Jakaya Kikwete and current head of state Samia Suluhu.

He holds a Doctor of Medicine from Kharkiv Medical Institute in Ukraine (1989), a Master of Tropical Health from Queensland Medical School in Australia (1994), a PhD in Cardiology from Osaka University’s Graduate School of Medicine (2000), and a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Cardiology from Osaka University Hospital in Japan (2004).

Equipped with the requisite skills, he returned to Tanzania and was appointed the Presidential physician in 2005.

His advocacy for public health campaigns saw former President Jakaya Kikwete and First Lady Mama Salma Kikwete undergo public HIV testing in 2012, inspiring five million people to get tested nationwide.

He also became the founding CEO of the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute, which performs over 2,000 advanced procedures annually.

"His efforts reduced the need for overseas referrals by 95%, saving citizens millions in healthcare costs. Under his leadership, the institute, in turn, became a regional hub, providing specialised cardiac care to patients from Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda, and Somalia," the professor's bio reads in part. 

Currently, he serves as the CEO of Tanzania's Muhimbili National Hospital, a 4,000-bed facility that leads in advancement in surgical care. 

Further, Prof. Yakub played a role in mitigating the effects of the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak by providing community awareness, reshaping WHO's response strategy and strengthening Tanzania's efforts to contain the disease outbreak. 

Beyond this, he has collaborated with the United Nations, Gates Foundation, US Centre for Disease and Control, and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to his bio, Prof. Yakub envisions a continent that will access quality healthcare services. His vision is driven by four pillars; universal healthcare, building resilience, leveraging technology and advancing self-reliant systems to achieve sovereignty.