Renowned Tanzanian scientist Dr Mwele Ntuli Malecela dies

 

The World Health Organisation says the director of its Department of Neglected Tropical Diseases, Dr. Mwele Ntuli Malecela has died.

Dr. Mwele was one of the world’s most respected scientists and researchers, stemming from her extensive educational background and career in the field of science.

She further climbed up the leadership ladder and was appointed NIMR’s Director-General – becoming the first woman to hold this position. However, in 2017 her appointment was revoked and thereafter she joined World Health Organisation’s Regional Office for Africa and as the Director in the Office of the Regional Director (RD) responsible for providing policy, managerial and diplomatic advice.

Dr Malecela also briefly entered politics and ran in the 2015 presidential primaries.

In 2019, she announced she had cancer.

Dr Ntuli Malecela was 58.