Dar es Salaam - The newly designated Country Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Tanzania, Dr. Charles Sagoe-Moses, has presented his letter of credentials to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Hon. Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax (Mb.), on the start of his duty tour in Tanzania. Dr Sagoe- Moses’ appointment took effect from 6th June 2023.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Dr. Lawrence Tax welcomed the Resident Representative and assured him of sufficient cooperation from the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania during the implementation of his duties in this country.

She also acknowledged the excellent technical support received from WHO on various Public Health Security initiatives such as the National Plans for Health Security which is still operational and the Organization’s immense contribution towards ending the recent Marburg virus disease outbreak.

Dr. Tax noted that Tanzania will continue to work with the WHO to ensure that it improves and strengthens health systems and the health sector in general as well as building the capacity of health sector experts to enable them to deal with and control various diseases emerging in society.

"Tanzania and the World Health Organization have been cooperating in strengthening and improving the health sector in the country and WHO's contribution is great and has helped the Government to improve the health sector and the implementation of various interventions to fight against diseases”, said Dr. Tax.

Dr Sagoe-Moses thanked the Honorable Minister for her warm welcome and commended Tanzania for making major reforms in the Health Sector as well as providing cooperation to international organizations especially the World Health Organization (WHO).

He added that the efforts of the Tanzanian Government in dealing with various diseases, especially those of outbreaks, are good and satisfactory, a good example is how Tanzania fought Marburg fever in the Kagera region.

"WHO will continue to cooperate with the Government of Tanzania in preventing and treating various diseases in ensuring we achieve health priorities for Tanzania”, added Dr. Sagoe-Moses.

Before his appointment, he was the WHO Country Representative in Namibia. Prior to that Dr Sagoe-Moses was the  WHO Country Representative in The Gambia and acting WHO Country Representative in Eritrea.

He previously held other senior leadership positions in the WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO).