WHO South-East Asia Director Placed on Leave Amid Corruption Probe

WHO South-East Asia Director Placed on Leave Amid Corruption Probe
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Saima Wazed, the regional director for the World Health Organization’s South-East Asia office and daughter of Bangladesh’s ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has been placed on indefinite leave amid ongoing corruption investigations, according to Health Policy Watch.

Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed fraud, forgery, and abuse of power charges against Wazed four months ago. She is accused of misrepresenting her academic qualifications and falsely claiming an honorary position at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, which the university disputes.

Wazed, who took office in January 2024, also allegedly misused her influence to collect $2.8 million for the Shuchona Foundation. She has reportedly avoided returning to Bangladesh due to multiple arrest warrants against her and her family.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus notified staff that Assistant Director-General Catharina Boehme will serve as acting regional director. Bangladesh’s transitional government says removing Wazed permanently is necessary to restore integrity to the role.