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The Hindu
3 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
WHO Regional Director Saima Wazed proceeds on indefinite leave in the wake of corruption charges in Bangladesh
Saima Wazed, Regional Director of the World Health Organization's (WHO) South-East Asia Region, has proceeded on indefinite leave from Friday (July 11, 2025), the global health body's spokesperson confirmed to The Hindu on Saturday (July 12, 2025) in an email response. The WHO did not respond to the question of why Ms. Wazed had proceeded on leave. Catharina Boehme is serving as officer-in-charge in Ms. Wazed place. The move follows Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission filing cases against Ms. Wazed for fraud, forgery, and misuse of power. Ms. Wazed is the daughter of the former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled the country in August 2024. Ms. Saima Wazed's appointment as Regional Director has also been under question, with charges of having used her mother's influence during the campaign, and of providing false information on her academic record during in her candidature for the post, allegedly violating Section 468 of the Bangladesh Penal Code (forgery for the purpose of cheating), and Section 471 (forging a document). According to the WHO's website, Ms. Wazed took office as the WHO Regional Director for the South-East Asia Region on February 1, 2024, for a five-year term. In this role, Ms. Wazed has been mandated to direct international health work in 11 countries, an area with a population of over two billion people. Prior to taking up this role, Ms. Wazed served as advisor on mental health and autism to the WHO Director-General, and was a member of the WHO's expert advisory panel on mental health, her website states. Ms. Wazed is a licensed school psychologist, nationally certified in the U.S. She was also Chief Advisor for the Bangladesh government's National Mental Health Strategic Plan; Chairperson of the National Advisory Committee on Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Bangladesh; and focal person for people with disabilities in the Bangladesh Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.
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First Post
4 days ago
- Health
- First Post
Hasina's daughter Saima Wazed put on indefinite leave by WHO
Earlier this year, Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) accused Hasina's daughter of using her mother's influence to achieve her victory as the regional chief of the WHO read more Advertisement FILE- Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, centre, is flanked by her daughter Saima Wazed. AP The World Health Organisation has sent Sheikh Hasina's daughter, Saima Wazed, the Southeast Asia chief, on indefinite leave amid Bangladesh's interim government's assertion that she was involved in fraud and corruption during the former prime minister's rule. A report by Health Policy Watch says that the WHO Chief, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, informed the staff about Wazed's indefinite leave via an email. The leave went into effect from yesterday (June 11). His email added that Dr Catharina Boehme, WHO's assistant director-general, would replace Wazed in taking over the office of the UN health agency's South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What are the allegations against Wazed? Earlier this year, Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) accused Hasina's daughter of using her mother's influence to achieve her victory as the regional chief of the WHO. Wazed is also alleged of misrepresenting her academic qualifications during the nomination process, according to ACC Deputy Director Akhtarul Islam. The alleged act falls under Sections 468 and 471 of the Bangladesh Penal Code, which cover forgery and the use of forged documents. She also provided false information regarding her professional experience by claiming an honorary role at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, which has been categorically denied by the varsity. What else has she been accused of? Wazed has also been accused of widespread corruption during her mother's rule in Bangladesh. The ACC alleges that Wazed exploited her position and influence to secure approximately $2.8 million from multiple banks under the name of the Shuchona Foundation, which she previously headed. Although the exact use of the funds remains uncertain, the charges include Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and Section 5(2) of the 1947 Prevention of Corruption Act for abuse of power. Interim govt welcomes move The Muhammad Yunus-led interim government has welcomed the WHO's decision to put Wazed on leave. 'We welcome the World Health Organisation's reported decision to place Saima Wazed on indefinite leave amid ongoing investigations into serious allegations of fraud, forgery and abuse of power. We view this as an important first step toward accountability,' Shafiqul Alam, Yunus' press secretary, said. He added, 'We firmly believe that a permanent resolution is necessary, one that removes Ms. Wazed from her position, revokes all associated privileges and restores integrity to this prestigious role and the credibility of the UN system as a whole.'
