PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has expressed her deep sorrow following the untimely passing of Dr Faustine Ndugulile, the Kigamboni MP and incoming regional director for the World Health Organization (WHO).

Dr Ndugulile passed away in the early hours of yesterday, in India, urgently flown there for medical treatment.

In a post on her X account the president conveyed her condolences to his family, the Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Tulia Ackson, members of Parliament, the people of Kigamboni, his relatives, friends and the entire public.

She said that his death is a significant loss not only to the people of Kigamboni but to all Tanzanians, in the wake of an announcement by the Speaker of the untimely death of Dr Ndugulile.

The president hailed the deceased as a distinguished MP, who was preparing to take a high profile engagement as the WHO regional director for Africa.

The Speaker said in her statement that the parliamentary secretariat extends its condolences to Dr Ndugulile's family, pledging its support in finalizing funeral arrangements, with further details expected to be provided in due course.

Dr Ndugulile, born in 1969, was a seasoned figure in the legislature and in the cabinet, where he served as deputy minister for Health and proper minister in the Information portfolio.

 “The nation joins his family, friends, and colleagues in mourning the loss of a man whose legacy will be cherished for years to come,” the top legislator intoned.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO director general, expressed his sorrow, saying his death has come as a shock to WHO.

“Shocked and deeply saddened to learn about the sudden passing of Dr Faustine Ndugulile, my heartfelt condolences to his family and friends,” he said in his condolence message.