Kigali, 5 June 2021 – It was only two years ago, on 1 May 2019, that Dr. Kasonde Mwinga was appointed as the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Rwanda. Today Dr. Kasonde passes on the torch to the Incoming Acting WHO Rwanda Country Representative Dr. Ndoungou Salla Ba. 

Dr. Kasonde’s two-year assignment was marked by a strong Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Preparedness and Operational Readiness and then the COVID-19 preparedness and response.  Fortunately, Rwanda did not report any EVD case and the COVID-19 preparedness and response efforts built on the International Health Regulation (IHR) capacities attained for the EVD readiness hence leading to a prompt and efficient response.

While bidding her farewell, the Minister of Health Dr. Daniel Ngamije said: “Dr. Kasonde’s mandate has been an exceptional one especially during the COVID-19 pandemic response. We are grateful for all the support we received from WHO, the UN family and all other partners.” 

These sentiments were shared by different partners who saluted the outgoing WHO Rwanda Representative for her commitment and dedication to strengthening Rwanda’s health system.  The Embassy of Germany in Rwanda via Twitter account the following message:

"Our gratitude goes to @WHORwanda Representative Dr. Kasonde Mwinga for your commitment and dedication - wishing you all the best for your new assignment. #RwOT @RBCRwanda @RwandaHealth"

The incoming WHO Rwanda Representative a.i, Dr. Ndoungou Salla Ba, has been in charge of WHO AFRO coordination of HIV/AIDS treatment in West and Central Africa (WCA).
Dr. BA holds a medical doctorate from the University of Abidjan and a master’s degree in public health from the Tulane University School of Public Health of Louisiana. Dr Ba bring in more than 20 years of experience in strategic planning and managing public health programs as WHO Medical officer in charge of the coordination of the implementation of plans to scale-up access to care and treatment for people living with HIV in 24 countries of West and Central Africa (WCA), as Executive Secretary of the National HIV/AIDS Council Advisor to the Mauritania Prime Minister and as program director in the New England Research Institutes of the United States of America.