Dr Richard Mihigo(left) met President Kagame
President Kagame met with Dr Richard Mihigo, Rwanda’s candidate for the post of World Health Organization Regional Director for Africa.
Dr Richard Mihigo is Director of COVID-19 Vaccine Delivery, Coordination, and Integration at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
Dr Richard Mihigo a medical doctor and senior public health executive with solid academic foundations from Boston University School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health, and the University of Kisangani (DRC).
From 04/2022 to 02/2024, he was Global Lead & Senior Director, COVID-19 Vaccine Delivery, Coordination & Integration GAVI, The Vaccine Alliance, Geneva, Switzerland. From 03/2024 to date, he is Senior Director, Programmatic and Strategic Engagement African Union/Africa CDC GAVI, The Vaccine Alliance, Geneva, Switzerland. From 06/2014 to 03/2022, Regional Coordinator of Immunisation & Vaccine Development Programme WHO, Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo among other positions.
Dr Richard Mihigo was born on 12 December 1966 in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo. He has a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (M.B., Ch.B.) at Faculty of Medicine, Université of Kisangani, DRC, 1994; and a Master of Public Health (MPH degree) in International Health from Boston University School of Public Health, USA, 2003.
The Regional Committee of WHO African Region will vote to nominate the next Regional Director in a closed meeting during its Seventy-fourth session from 26 – 30 August 2024 in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.
The nomination will then be submitted for appointment by the 156th session of the WHO Executive Board, which takes place in January 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland.
The candidates are: Dr N’da Konan Michel Yao proposed by Côte d’Ivoire, Dr Boureima Hama Sambo proposed by Niger, Dr Richard Mihigo proposed by Rwanda, Dr Ibrahima Socé Fall proposed by Senegal.
The newly appointed Regional Director will take office on 1 February 2025 for a five-year term and be eligible for reappointment once. (End)