Tanzania’s President John Pombe Magufuli has appointed Dr Godwin Mollel as the new deputy minister for Health after sacking Dr Faustine Ndugulile.

Dr Ndugulile, 51, a microbiologist and public health advocate, has served in the ministry for about three years.

He assumed the post in 2017 when President Magufuli reshuffled his Cabinet, replacing Dr Hamisi Kigwangala who is now the minister for Tourism and Natural Resources.

President Magufuli picked Prof Mabula Mchembe as the new PS at the ministry while Prof Abel Makubi was named the new chief medical officer.

The changes have come at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic is ravaging the country with all eyes trained on the Health ministry.