Dr Boureima Hama Sambo

Candidate for the position of WHO Regional Director for Africa

SHAPING A BETTER TOMORROW

A vision for a healthy, prosperous, and safe African region

Dr Boureima Hama Sambo

Candidate for the position of WHO Regional Director for Africa

SHAPING A BETTER TOMORROW
A vision for a healthy, prosperous, and safe African region

SHAPING A BETTER TOMORROW

a vision for a healthy, prosperous, and safe African region

-Dr Boureima Hama Sambo
(Candidate for the position of WHO Regional Director for Africa)

NEED FOR A RENEWED VISION FOR THE AFRICAN REGION-THE "WHY"

The African Region stands at a critical juncture. Over the past decade, there have been significant improvements that have led to more people in the Region living longer and healthier lives. Despite these advances, the Region’s health and health systems are facing a variety of challenges, including the ongoing threat from communicable and tropical diseases, growing pressures on health budgets caused by the increase in chronic medical conditions, persistent inequities in health outcomes and weak infrastructure and resource constraints. These have been exacerbated by recent polycrises such as climate-related issues, the COVID-19 pandemic and mounting conflicts.

Priorities to Accelerate Momentum The "What"

To advance the Africa Health Strategy 2016–2030, WHO’s Fourteenth General Programme of Work, and the SDGs, my focus will be on five key areas with gender and equality at the core:

Address the main drivers of the disease burden

Strengthen national and local health systems to deliver equitable, integrated health interventions for all ages.

Universal access to quality health services

Share evidence and best practices for effective, context specific health system reforms in collaboration with the African Union and partners.

Safeguarding against threats

Partner with Africa CDC, AUDA-NEPAD, and others to prevent, detect, and respond to emergencies, addressing immediate health needs, vulnerabilities, and building resilience.

Foster partnerships for local solutions

Coordinate regional initiatives, deepen collaboration, and strengthen capacities to generate evidence and homegrown solutions.

Improve the quality of life and promote healthier living

Equip leaders with innovative solutions and tools to advocate for health across government sectors.

OPERATIONALIZING THE VISION-THE “HOW”

Advocacy and policy Support

Organize high-level policy dialogues and develop country-focused rameworks and instruments.

Enhance health Security and achieve self-reliance

Strengthen IHR capacities, local public health institutions, workforce, and manufacturing of lifesaving medicines and vaccines.

Engage people in their own health

Inform people about healthier lifestyles,
support decision-making, and guide
available healthcare resources.

Health system resilience and reform

Support governance, financing,
workforce, and service delivery
transformations, focusing on primary
health care and sustainable innovations.

Innovation, digital transformation and leapfrogging

Build capacities to harness science and innovation for health impacts

Leverage strategic partnerships for better health

Strengthen coordination and collaboration with regional and global organisations, health associations, civil society, and the private sector.

Dr Boureima Hama Sambo

Dr Boureima Hama Sambo is a visionary leader with more than 30 years of field, regional and global health experience. Dr Sambo is currently the WHO Representative (WR) to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Prior to his current position, he served as the WR to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, to Gabon and ad interim to Rwanda. He also held various positions at the WHO Regional Office for Africa and served as the Director of the Climate and other Determinants of Health Department at the WHO headquarters. He started his public health career as a Chief Medical Officer in Tera Medical District in Niger, before Directing the regional hospital of Dosso. He further served his birth country as the Director of the National Health Services.

We want a better tomorrow.
We need a better tomorrow.
We deserve a better tomorrow.
Together we can shape a better tomorrow for Africa

Dr Boureima Hama Sambo

Dr Boureima Hama Sambo is a visionary leader with a more than 30 years of field, regional and global health experience. Dr Sambo is currently the WHO Representative (WR) to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Prior to his current position, he served as the WR to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, to Gabon and to Rawanda (ad interim). He also held various positions at the WHO Regional Office for Africa and served as the Director of the climate and other Determinants of Health Cluster at the WHO headquarters. He started his public health career as a Chief Medical Officer in Tera Medical District in Niger, before Directing the regional hospital of Dosso. He further served his birth country ad the Director of the National Health Services.

We want a better tomorrow.
We need a better tomorrow.
We deserve a better tomorrow.
Together we can shape a better tomorrow for Africa