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Dr. Lindiwe Makubalo
Director: Assistant Regional Director cluster, World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Congo, Brazzaville
Dr. Makubalo is the Director of the Assistant Regional Director cluster, at the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa in Brazzaville, Congo. She leads technical teams designed to perform cross cutting technical functions by working closely with countries and programme areas. This cluster focuses on essential functions that prepare WHO and Member States to make evidence-informed, data-driven decisions and harness the cutting-edge research and innovations for the acceleration of health improvements in the African Region. The cluster also coordinates work across the organization related to key strategic priorities: integrated service delivery, diagnostic and laboratory services, and antimicrobial resistance.
Dr. Makubalo is a public health expert who served in the South African public service for over 20 years and led initiatives to advance equitable health access for all. She has occupied senior positions in programme development and implementation as well as policy and legislative reforms. She has rich experience in disease surveillance and data management systems as well as research and innovation management related to tropical diseases and HIV. She previously served at WHO HQ, as Director of the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, as well as a sabbatical position in the Special Programme for Research and Development in Tropical Diseases.
Dr Makubalo has served on numerous scientific and advisory boards, bodies and groups such as the South African Medicines Control Council, national ethics councils, several data systems boards, expert group on Oncocerciasis Control, Strategic advisory group on malaria eradication, and as African representative on the UNITAID Board. Most recently she held a diplomatic role as Minister, Health Expert for the South African Government to the United Nations in Geneva where she participated and led development of important policy and resolutions such as the NCD indicators monitoring and Ebola resolutions as chair along with other important activities to strengthen global policy for SDGs and health emergencies.