[post_published]
Dr. Mwelecele Ntuli Malecela; Photo credit: WHO
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) recognizes the prestigious appointment of Dr. Mwelecele Ntuli Malecela as the Director of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases of the World Health Organization (WHO). Malecela was appointed to the position on October 5, 2018.
Dr. Malecela has substantial experience in the field of public health at global, regional and national levels. Most recently, Malecela led the Office of the Regional Director for WHO’s Regional Office for Africa. In this role she provided high-level strategic direction and support to guide WHO’s regional work. She also previously served as the first female Director General of the National Institute for Medical Research in Tanzania.
Dr. Malecela’s demonstrated commitment to neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), specifically, is evident through her leadership at the African Regional Program for Neglected Tropical Diseases, membership on WHO’s Strategic and Technical Advisory Committee for Neglected Tropical Diseases and founding of the Tanzania Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Program. Malecela is also an experienced public health researcher with 30 years at Tanzania’s National Institute for Medical Research.
Dr. Malecela’s leadership is an asset to the entire NTD community. USAID celebrates this appointment and the continued partnership with WHO in the fight to control and eliminate neglected tropical diseases globally.