The World Health Organization (WHO) has formally welcomed Dr. Fabian Ndenzako as the new Head of Mission and WHO Representative to Botswana and the Southern African Pattern Neighborhood (SADC). A seasoned global health skilled, Dr. Ndenzako brings with him over 25 years of skills in public health, alongside with extra than 20 years of service within WHO across assorted regions and management capacities.
His appointment comes at a pivotal time, as WHO continues to deepen its collaboration with the newly constituted Govt of Botswana, following the November 2024 elections. Guided by the WHO Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) 2024–2027, Dr. Ndenzako will lead efforts aligned with Botswana’s National Pattern Conception. These efforts focal point on 5 strategic priorities: strengthening health systems in the direction of Universal Health Coverage (UHC); handing over quality, equitable, and constructed-in health services and products across the lifestyles direction; stopping and controlling communicable and non-communicable diseases; improving health security and disaster possibility reduction administration; and promoting multisectoral action for a extra fit population.
Dr. Ndenzako is a scientific doctor trained on the College of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. He holds a master’s in public health from the College of Oslo and a master’s in vogue experiences and diplomacy from the College for Peace in collaboration with UNITAR. His spectacular academic background complements a mountainous and deep realizing of world health systems, protection, and diplomacy.
Ahead of his appointment in Botswana, Dr. Ndenzako served as Acting WHO Representative in South Africa, based in Pretoria. He has furthermore led WHO country offices in South Sudan (2021–2024) and Malawi (2018–2019), demonstrating stable management in navigating complicated public health landscapes, managing crises, and mobilizing assets to enhance nationwide health responses.
Earlier in his profession, Dr. Ndenzako served as Clinical Officer for HIV, Hepatitis, and TB on the WHO Regional Assure of job for Africa, supporting over 20 international locations in Eastern and Southern Africa. His contributions included reviewing nationwide health applications, increasing suggestions and pointers, coordinating multi-country responses, and facilitating resource mobilization for health emergencies and epidemics.
He furthermore brings precious international skills from virtually a decade with the WHO Western Pacific Space, based in Papua New Guinea, the place he supported regional responses to both communicable and non-communicable diseases. His work with governments, the United Nations, NGOs, civil society, donors, and international partners underscores his dedication to inclusive and collaborative public health suggestions.
Now on the helm of WHO Botswana, Dr. Ndenzako is poised to lead the place of work’s efforts in the direction of impactful implementation of the biennial thought, strengthen nationwide health priorities, and increase regional coordination thru SADC. His vast skills and visionary management are assign to map the health and smartly-being of the of us of Botswana and the place at tidy.
