Dr Lindiwe Makubalo was appointed to the position of Assistant Regional Director in 2021. She oversees the Regional Office’s effort to strengthen Coordination and Integration of functions. In addition, she is responsible for cross cutting areas - Anti-microbial resistance, Diagnostics and Laboratory Services, Data Analytics and Knowledge Management, Research, Integrated Service Delivery as well as new units focusing on Strategic Development & Monitoring and Science & Innovation.

Dr Makubalo has over 25 years of national and international experience in epidemiology and public health and was involved in health reform and restructuring of the health sector in South Africa. She has served in numerous national and international expert advisory committees including the South African Medicines Control Council, Medicines Control Council and UNITAID.
Prior to joining the WHO Regional Office for Africa, Dr Makubalo held a diplomatic position as Minister – Health, to the United Nations representing the South African Government and contributing to global policy shaping in diverse areas including UHC, NCDs, Ebola, Covid-19, and access to medicines. She has held positions at WHO HQ responsible for Health Systems, the Tropical Diseases Research Centre in Zambia focusing on tropical diseases research and PHC delivery systems; and the South African MRC focusing largely on HIV/AIDS.