WHO mourns Dr. Mwelecele Ntuli Malecela

With a deep sense of sadness and grief, the WHO announces that Dr. Mwelecele Ntuli Malecela, Director of the WHO Department for the Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, has passed away on February 10, 2022. Dr. Malecela died after a long illness at the age of 58.

Dr. Malecela will be remembered as an inspiring figure, a dedicated leader and a dedicated listener.

We express our sincere condolences to Dr. Malecela’s family and close relatives, as colleagues and friends in the global health community around the world mourn her loss.

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In memory

Dr. Mwelecele Ntuli Malecela

1963-2022

It is with deep sorrow and grief that we announce that Dr. Mwelecele Ntuli Malecela, Director of the WHO’s Department of Neglected Tropical Disease Control, passed away on February 10, 2022. Dr. Malecela died after a long illness at the age of 58. She was among the most famous and esteemed researchers, scientists and leaders of public health in Africa.

Prior to her appointment in December 2018 as Director at the WHO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, she was Director at the Office of the Regional Director, WHO Regional Office for Africa in Brazzaville, Congo, where she provided political, governance and diplomatic advice to Dr. Matshidis Moeti.

Prior to joining the WHO in April 2017, Dr. Malecela was the Director General of the National Institute of Medical Research of the United Republic of Tanzania – the first woman to hold this position – and the founder of the National Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Program.

Lymphatic filariasis was her main area of ​​academic interest, starting as a junior scientist with a focus on the immuno-epidemiology of filariasis infections.

Mwelecele Ntuli Malecela was born on March 26, 1963 in Dar es Salaam, the daughter of former Tanzanian Prime Minister and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, John Malecele. Mwele, as she was widely known, attended Weruweru Girls’ High School and later enrolled at Dar es Salaam University, where she graduated in zoology. She holds a PhD in Parasitology from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.

Her short time as director of the Department for the Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases culminated most in the development of a new roadmap for 2021-2030. Draft Ending neglect to achieve sustainable development goals: a roadmap for neglected tropical diseases 2021.–2030 launched in January 2021.

Dr. Malecela has dedicated her life to improving the health and well-being of the most vulnerable. An eloquent speaker, her approach was characterized by passion and devotion to people and things. Her penchant for speaking the truth over seeking pleasure has earned her wide respect.

Winner of many awards, Dr. Malecela was awarded the Kyelem Prize by the Coalition for the Operational Research of Neglected Tropical Diseases (COR-NTD, 2017) and the honorary doctorate by the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (2021). She has also been repeatedly included in the top 100 lists of the most influential women in Africa.

All her life she has advocated for the empowerment of women, for gender equality and for the well-being of women and girls. She was also a champion in encouraging and inspiring young people to study science and serve the goal of global health as sustainable and vital ways to realize their talents.

Dr. Malecela will be remembered as an inspiring figure, a dedicated leader and a dedicated listener.

She used many of her qualities in the service of ideals, all of which were firmly rooted in social work and the intrinsic value of human lives.

Her death will be deeply and personally felt by many around the world, and her inspiration, enthusiasm and continued engagement will continue to serve as a guide for all who knew her.

We express our sincere condolences to Mwele’s family and close relatives, as colleagues and friends in the global health community around the world mourn her loss.

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