Unit Head, Regulation & Safety, Regulation & Prequalification Department, WHO (“views expressed are my own”)
Geneva, Switzerland
Joined May 2013
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Hiiti Sillo retweeted
A historic moment for Africa.
Together with @Diop_IFC, Managing Director of @IFC_org, and @DrTedros, @WHO Director-General, I’m honoured to take part in the opening ceremony of the Youth Olympic Games at the stadium in Dakar.
For the first time in history, the Youth Olympic Games are being hosted on African soil, showcasing the continent’s talent, ambition and limitless potential. A proud day for Africa, its youth and the global Olympic movement.
#Dakar2026
#YouthOlympicGames
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Un moment historique pour l’Afrique.
Aux côtés de @Diop_IFC, Directeur général de @IFC_org, et du Dr Tedros, Directeur général de l’@WHO, j’ai l’honneur de prendre part à la cérémonie d’ouverture des Jeux Olympiques de la Jeunesse, au stade de Dakar.
Pour la première fois de leur histoire, les Jeux Olympiques de la Jeunesse sont organisés sur le sol africain, mettant en lumière les talents, l’ambition et l’immense potentiel du continent. Une journée de fierté pour l’Afrique, sa jeunesse et le mouvement olympique mondial.
#Dakar2026
#YouthOlympicGames
Hiiti Sillo retweeted
I was pleased to moderate a powerful panel at #AMA Week, bringing together regulatory leaders from #Egypt, #Senegal, #Gabon and #Uganda, alongside East African regional expertise. Our message was clear: #AMA must build trust, strengthen regulatory reliance and enable shared work—turning national strengths into continental impact and better access to quality medicines. @mimi_darko @NEPAD_Agency @AU_HHS @AU_AMA_
Hiiti Sillo retweeted
Congratulations to AMA Director-General @mimi_darko on a milestone AMA Week in #Kigali. More than 50 countries came together, and we launched seven technical committees bringing experts from across Africa together, alongside two Hubs. This is continental commitment in action—building stronger regulation and faster access to quality medicines. @AU_AMA_ @NEPAD_Agency @AU_HHS @DrTedros
Hiiti Sillo retweeted
Excellent presentation by Hiiti B. Sillo of @WHO on Africa’s regulatory progress. In 2018, one country had reached WHO Maturity Level 3; today, 10 have. We must build on this progress so every #African country has a strong regulator that protects people and expands access to quality medicines. @mimi_darko @hbsillo @DrTedros
Hiiti Sillo retweeted
At AMA Week, @WHO stressed that agreements must translate into measurable results. To improve access to quality medicines, Africa must set clear priorities, coordinate partners, build trust in regulatory reliance, invest in people and track impact. That is how commitments become progress for people. @WHOAFRO @DrTedros @WHOEMRO @hbsillo @mimi_darko
Hiiti Sillo retweeted
Thank you so much @DrTedros for your special message on the occasion of our inaugural #AMAWeek & for @WHO's continued support towards @AU_AMA_ .
Indeed, every additional ratification makes AMA stronger.
As we mark the first African Medicines Agency (AMA) Week, I urge all remaining countries to ratify its treaty, and Member States and partners to provide sustained political and financial support.
A strong AMA means faster access to safe, effective and quality-assured health products, and stronger African health security.
@WHO remains committed to supporting AMA and building a healthier, safer and fairer Africa.
Hiiti Sillo retweeted
As we mark the first African Medicines Agency (AMA) Week, I urge all remaining countries to ratify its treaty, and Member States and partners to provide sustained political and financial support.
A strong AMA means faster access to safe, effective and quality-assured health products, and stronger African health security.
@WHO remains committed to supporting AMA and building a healthier, safer and fairer Africa.
Hiiti Sillo retweeted
Science gives us hope. Today, in Bunia #DRC, the first participants were vaccinated in a new #Ebola vaccine trial called TUMAINI, which means “hope” in Swahili.
There is currently no approved vaccine against the Bundibugyo virus causing the outbreak. This trial will help us understand whether any of the vaccine candidates designed for Bundibugyo virus work.
In the meantime, the existing Everbo vaccine (licensed for use in preventing other Ebola virus disease) will be tested.
@WHO is supporting this DRC-led effort to find answers and save lives.
Hiiti Sillo retweeted
Welcome to @WHO Tomas Zapata, as the new Director of the #WHOAcademy. I look forward to working closely with you to ensure that the Academy meets the needs of our Member States and supports health and care workers around the world. #HealthForAll
Hiiti Sillo retweeted
I met #India’s Health Minister @JPNadda and congratulated him on the country’s impressive health gains, particularly in maternal and child health and the fight against noncommunicable diseases.
Through 160,000 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, India is bringing screening for hypertension, diabetes and common cancers closer to communities, with referral pathways for care.
India’s ASHA workers are another powerful example of health care reaching people where they are, supporting mothers and children from conception through adolescence. Together with expanded immunization and the rise in institutional deliveries from 78% to 93%, this is contributing to sustained declines in maternal and child mortality.
We also discussed India’s determined efforts to #EndTB, strengthen regulation of medical products, and its important support for @WHO, including on traditional medicine and the ongoing negotiations on the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system of the WHO Pandemic Agreement. #RC79
Hiiti Sillo retweeted
I welcome the designation of the Global Harmonization Centre in the Republic of Korea as a new @WHO Collaborating Centre for health products regulatory system strengthening and training.
By bringing together WHO’s global mandate and standards with Korea’s regulatory expertise, we can expand access to high-quality training, strengthen regulatory workforces worldwide, and help ensure that people everywhere have access to safe, effective and quality-assured medicines and vaccines.
Strong regulatory systems are a cornerstone of resilient health systems and essential to achieving #HealthForAll.
Hiiti Sillo retweeted
Thank you my brother @HonAdenDuale for joining us at #WHA79, and for #Kenya's continued commitment to universal health coverage and investment in the health system strengthening. @WHO will continue to support, including on the national regulatory system, #Ebola response preparedness and building the regional hub in Nairobi.
nitter.cf/HonAdenDuale/status/20…
Met with World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on the margins of the 79th World Health Assembly, outlining our key priorities for strengthened collaboration with the global health body.
Discussions focused on three core areas: advancing Kenya's pharmaceutical regulatory maturity, strengthening Ebola preparedness and deepening the strategic role of the WHO Regional Hub in Nairobi.
A key priority was our pursuit of WHO Global Benchmarking Tool Maturity Level 3 status for its national regulatory system, led by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board.
I emphasized that achieving ML3 is critical to enabling local pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing, improving regulatory efficiency and positioning Kenya as a regional hub for quality-assured medical products.
This aligns with H.E. President William Ruto's role as African Union Champion for Local Manufacturing, driving the continent toward producing at least 60% of its health products, vaccines and medicines by 2040 to reduce import dependence.
While acknowledging WHO's ongoing technical support, Kenya requested accelerated assistance to finalize the ML3 process, including targeted capacity building and expedited technical reviews.
On Ebola preparedness, I commended WHO's leadership in responding to the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and outlined our strengthened measures, including enhanced surveillance at points of entry, rapid response coordination and community awareness, given our status as a regional transport and trade hub.
We also discussed the future of the WHO Regional Hub in Nairobi, reaffirming our appreciation for its presence and Nairobi's role as a centre for multilateral health coordination, humanitarian response and emergency preparedness in Africa.
I reaffirmed our commitment to continued partnership with WHO, underscoring that strong multilateral cooperation remains essential in addressing global financing pressures, climate-related health risks and emerging disease threats.
I was joined by H.E. Dr. Fancy Too, the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Kenya to the UN in Geneva, Dr. Nicholus Muraguri, Advisor Global Health Diplomacy at the Ministryof Foreign Affairs and Dr. Jean Gitau Kenya's Health Attaché.
Hiiti Sillo retweeted
Congratulations to #Kazakhstan on becoming the first country in Central Asia to reach Maturity Level 3 (ML3) for the regulation of medicines and imported vaccines. Strong regulatory systems are essential for access to safe, effective and quality-assured health products. This milestone will benefit patients, health-care providers and industry alike.
who.int/news/item/09-04-2026…
Hiiti Sillo retweeted
#WorldTBDay!
Re-echoing @ProfJanabi, RD @WHOAFRO words: “Yes, we can end TB , led by countries, powered by people.”
Through the provision of GeneXpert 10-color machines & Gov’t led interventions ; discover how 🇹🇿 is stepping up efforts to #EndTB.
➡️ bit.ly/40Rrqgp
Hiiti Sillo retweeted
Tanzania steps up efforts to establish Emergency Medical Teams for preparedness & response.
The training and induction of over 40 members have been officially outdoored . A big step in strengthening rapid, life-saving action when it matters most.
@Pandemic_Fund
Hiiti Sillo retweeted
Today, I joined the Chief Medical Officer other national authorities & partners to launch the polio vaccination campaign in Mwanza.This campaign aims to protect 6.7M+ children in 7 regions in 🇹🇿.
Kudos to the Gov’t for strong leadership toward a polio-free future. #EndPolio
Hiiti Sillo retweeted
I was honoured to participate in the inauguration of the Kwimba Maternal and Newborn Care Unit in Mwanza Region, #Tanzania. It was a powerful demonstration of leadership, partnership and community commitment.
I commend the government for advancing global resolutions and contributing evidence to @WHO guidelines that shape collective efforts to improve maternal, newborn and child health.
Hiiti Sillo retweeted
Excellent discussion today with Dr @mimi_darko, DG of @AU_AMA_, on the sidelines of the #AUSummit, to advance a WHO–AMA Framework of Collaboration and joint operational plan and strengthen post-marketing surveillance against substandard and falsified medical products.
I reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to supporting AMA’s operationalization as the continental anchor for harmonized medical products regulation and ensuring every African has access to safe, quality medicines.
Hiiti Sillo retweeted
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Hiiti Sillo retweeted
Congratulations to Australia and Indonesia on achieving @WHO’s highest international standards in medical products regulation, becoming WHO Listed Authorities (WLAs).
With their addition, the global WLA network now comprises 41 authorities from 39 countries.
As the WLA network becomes more geographically diverse, it strengthens global and regional collaboration for equitable and timely access to safe, effective and quality-assured health products for everyone, especially during health emergencies.
who.int/news/item/21-12-2025…