started · updated
Saima Wazed resigns as WHO Southeast Asia regional director
Saima Wazed, the daughter of ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has resigned from her position as the World Health Organization (WHO) Southeast Asia regional director. Wazed submitted her resignation on September 9 to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The resignation follows investigations by both the WHO and Bangladeshi authorities into allegations of financial fraud, forgery, and misuse of power. Specific accusations included fraud related to travel expenses in China, misrepresenting academic credentials, and the illegal acquisition of land in Bangladesh. Wazed has denied all wrongdoing, asserting that the land was a legal entitlement and that her academic distinction was an honorary doctorate.
Wazed had been placed on unpaid administrative leave in July 2025 following charges filed by Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission in March 2025. In her resignation letter, she cited an unsustainable financial situation due to the prolonged unpaid leave and expressed a loss of confidence in the WHO leadership, claiming she was prevented from performing her duties.
The WHO Regional Committee had recommended the termination of her appointment on September 8. Nilesh Buddha will serve as Officer-in-charge of the Southeast Asia Regional Office until a new director is appointed.
Entities
Bangladesh Anti-Corruption Commission · Saima Wazed · Sheikh Hasina · Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus · World Health Organization
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 5 SOURCES] Wazed stated her resignation was due to an unsustainable financial position after nearly a year of unpaid leave. desitalkchicago.com · madhyamamonline.com · english.mathrubhumi.com · www.news18.com · www.occrp.org
- [● 3 SOURCES] The WHO Regional Committee recommended the termination of Wazed's appointment on September 8. desitalkchicago.com · www.latestly.com · newsable.asianetnews.com
- [● 7 SOURCES] The Bangladesh Anti-Corruption Commission filed charges against Wazed for fraud, forgery, and misuse of power in March 2025. desitalkchicago.com · madhyamamonline.com · english.mathrubhumi.com · newsable.asianetnews.com · thefrontierpost.com · +2 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] Nilesh Buddha will serve as Officer-in-charge of the WHO Southeast Asia Regional Office until a successor is appointed. desitalkchicago.com · www.latestly.com · newsable.asianetnews.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The WHO accused Wazed of misrepresenting her academic credentials. madhyamamonline.com · english.mathrubhumi.com · thefrontierpost.com · www.freemalaysiatoday.com · www.independent.co.uk
- [● 5 SOURCES] The WHO accused Wazed of financial fraud regarding travel to China. madhyamamonline.com · english.mathrubhumi.com · thefrontierpost.com · www.freemalaysiatoday.com · www.independent.co.uk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Wazed maintains she has been cleared of financial fraud charges. www.occrp.org
- [● 10 SOURCES] Saima Wazed resigned as the WHO Southeast Asia regional director on September 9. desitalkchicago.com · madhyamamonline.com · english.mathrubhumi.com · www.latestly.com · newsable.asianetnews.com · +5 more