Dar es Salaam,
Tanzania’s President John Pombe Magufuli has appointed Dr Godwin Mollel as the new deputy minister for Health after sacking Dr Faustine Ndugulile.
Dr Ndugulile’s sacking comes as a surprise to many and follows other changes at the ministry a fortnight ago.
Dr Ndugulile, 51, a microbiologist and public health advocate, has served in the ministry for about three years.
He assumed the post in 2017 when President Magufuli reshuffled his Cabinet, replacing Dr Hamisi Kigwangala who is now the minister for Tourism and Natural Resources.
SECOND SHAKE-UP
This is the second shake-up within weeks at the ministry following the transfer of Permanent Secretary Zainab Chaula to the communications docket and the retiring of Chief Medical Officer Mohamed Bakari.
President Magufuli picked Prof Mabula Mchembe as the new PS at the ministry while Prof Abel Makubi was named the new chief medical officer.
Prof Mchembe was previously the medical adviser at State House, while Prof Makubi was heading Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza.
COVID-19 PANDEMIC
The changes have come at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic is ravaging the country with all eyes trained on the Health ministry.
The incoming deputy minister, who is the MP for Siha Constituency, holds a degree in medicine from Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences.
Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday ordered the closure of borders with Tanzania as cross-border Covid-19 infections continued to rise.
President Kenyatta said the closure of the borders was necessitated by an increase in the number of “imported” coronavirus cases.
The restrictions exempt cargo trucks, however, their drivers must undergo compulsory Covid-19 tests.
Kenya has also closed its border with Somalia.
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