The World Health Organization (WHO) has placed its Regional Director for South-East Asia, Saima Wazed, on indefinite leave. The suspension of Wazed, who is the daughter of the recently ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, comes as she faces a mounting wave of serious allegations concerning fraud, corruption, and forgery stemming from her time during her mother’s rule in Bangladesh.
Official Action Taken by WHO Leadership
The decision to put Wazed on leave was formalized and communicated directly by WHO Chief Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus via email. The suspension took immediate effect on June 11th, signaling the seriousness with which the international health body views the renewed scrutiny surrounding its senior official.
To ensure the continuity of essential public health work in the region, Dr. Tedros simultaneously appointed an acting replacement. Dr. Kathina Bohem, the WHO’s current Assistant Director-General, has been named to assume Wazed’s responsibilities at the Southeast Asia regional office during her leave of absence.
Accusations of Fraud, Forgery, and Misuse of Influence
The catalyst for the WHO’s action is a renewed, aggressive push by Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) against the former first daughter. The allegations are multi-faceted and touch upon both her professional rise and financial conduct.
- Forged Credentials and Influence: The ACC has publicly accused Wazed of achieving her position as regional WHO chief by allegedly leveraging her mother’s immense political influence. More critically, she is accused of forging her academic qualifications and providing false or misleading information regarding her professional background, a charge that severely undermines her credentials for the top regional post.
- NGO Financial Misconduct: In a separate but equally damaging allegation, Wazed is accused of illicitly drawing more than $2.8 million from various commercial banks. This substantial sum was reportedly withdrawn under the guise of an NGO that she was responsible for leading.
These charges paint a picture of alleged systemic corruption and misuse of power that has drawn international attention to the WHO selection process and the conduct of its officials.
Political Repercussions in Bangladesh
The suspension has been closely watched in Bangladesh, where a fragile interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus took over after the ousting of Sheikh Hasina. The government has openly welcomed the WHO’s decision to place Wazed on leave.
The warm reception of the suspension by the new administration underscores the highly politicized nature of the case. The move is widely seen as a validation of the corruption crackdown being pursued by the interim government against figures associated with the previous administration, suggesting a broader effort to address legacy issues of governance and financial malpractice within the country. The international development marks a significant turn in the ongoing anti-corruption efforts in Dhaka.
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