Politics
Saima Wazed, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Director for Southeast Asia and daughter of ousted former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has resigned from her position,
Saima Wazed, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Director for Southeast Asia and daughter of ousted former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has resigned from her position, citing an investigation into fraud allegations and financial difficulties caused by her prolonged unpaid leave.
Wazed sent her resignation to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, saying that nearly a year of unpaid administrative leave had made her financial situation unbearable and that she had lost confidence in the organization’s leadership.
The WHO placed her on leave late last year over allegations of financial fraud related to a trip to China, misrepresentation of her educational qualifications, and the illegal acquisition of a plot of land in Bangladesh. Wazed rejected the allegations, explaining that the issue concerning travel expenses was the result of a minor administrative error, while she had legally acquired the plot under her entitlement. Meanwhile, the WHO has set a schedule for selecting a new Regional Director. Nominations will open on October 12, and the election will be held on January 24.
