ISLAMABAD: Saima Wazed, daughter of ousted former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, has resigned as the World Health Organization’s regional director for South-East Asia, a day after member states recommended terminating her appointment.
The WHO confirmed that its South-East Asia Regional Committee recommended on Sept 8 terminating Wazed’s appointment. She resigned on Sept 9, before the WHO Executive Board could consider the recommendation.
According to a report by independent outlet Health Policy Watch, the WHO launched its probe after Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission filed two cases against her alleging fraud, forgery, and misuse of power. It found that the allegations were unsubstantiated.
Wazed, who began a five-year term as regional director in February 2024, had been on leave since 2025 amid investigations and allegations involving fraud, forgery, travel expenses, academic credentials and property in Bangladesh.
The WHO placed her on leave after Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission filed cases against her in March 2025. The allegations included claims that she misrepresented an honorary doctorate as an academic qualification and was involved in improper land dealings.
The UN health agency also investigated an alleged irregularity involving a $901 reimbursement claim linked to a trip to China. Wazed has denied wrongdoing, with her lawyers describing the travel issue as an administrative error by an assistant handling routine reimbursement claims. She has also rejected allegations concerning her academic credentials and land acquisition.
In her resignation letter to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Wazed said she had been prevented from performing her duties effectively and had lost confidence in WHO leadership.
She also cited the financial impact of remaining on unpaid leave for nearly a year.
“Since you continue to prevent me from effectively carrying out my duties, I have lost all trust and confidence in your leadership of WHO,” Wazed wrote, according to her resignation letter.
Speaking to The Indian Express after resigning, Wazed accused Tedros of harassment and intimidation and said she had sought an independent investigation into his conduct. She said remaining on unpaid leave had become financially and personally difficult.
The WHO, however, said it handled the case through its established procedures and with due regard for fairness and due process.
“The matter has been handled through the appropriate WHO processes in accordance with WHO’s regulatory framework,” the organization said.
Wazed’s departure comes against the backdrop of Bangladesh’s political upheaval following the ouster of her mother, Sheikh Hasina, in August 2024 after mass student-led protests. Hasina subsequently left Bangladesh for India, while her government’s former officials and associates have faced corruption and other criminal investigations.
Elections for position on Jan 24
Wazed’s resignation takes effect immediately, leaving the regional director’s position vacant. The WHO said Dr Nilesh Buddha will continue as officer-in-charge until a new regional director is appointed.
According to sources cited by news agencies, the WHO is expected to open nominations for the position on Oct 12, with applications to be vetted in December and elections potentially held on Jan 24.
Regional directors are among the WHO’s senior officials, overseeing responses to health emergencies and disease outbreaks while adapting global health policies to conditions in their respective regions.
Wazed’s resignation therefore ends a turbulent tenure that began with her election as the first Bangladeshi and second woman to lead the WHO’s South-East Asia region.