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Saima Wazed Resigns as WHO Regional Head Amid Fraud Allegations
Saima Wazed was a senior World Health Organization official for Southeast Asia.
She is also the daughter of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Wazed resigned after being placed on unpaid leave during investigations.
The allegations involved travel expenses, her academic credentials and a plot of land.
Wazed denied wrongdoing in all of these matters.
She said the travel issue involved only $901 and resulted from an assistant’s administrative mistake.
She also said she had an honorary doctorate and was legally entitled to the land.
The WHO did not comment in detail, citing confidentiality, while sources said a replacement process was being planned.
Saima Wazed resigned as the World Health Organization’s Southeast Asia regional director, according to her resignation letter.
The WHO and Bangladeshi authorities investigated allegations involving travel-related financial fraud, academic credentials and land acquisition.
Wazed denied the allegations, calling the $901 travel issue an administrative error and defending her honorary doctorate.
She said nearly a year without pay and restrictions on her duties made her financial situation untenable.
Sources said the WHO planned new nominations and an election for the regional director’s post in January.
- Who
- Saima Wazed, the World Health Organization’s Southeast Asia regional director and daughter of Sheikh Hasina.
- What
- She resigned after investigations and allegations concerning financial fraud, academic credentials and land acquisition.
- Where
- The position covered the WHO’s Southeast Asia region, while the allegations involved travel to China and land in Bangladesh.
- When
- She resigned on Wednesday; she had taken office in early 2024 and was first placed on leave in July 2025.
- Why
- Wazed said unpaid leave, restrictions on her duties and the resulting financial hardship led her to step down; the WHO and Bangladeshi authorities were investigating allegations against her.
Investigators’ Allegations
Wazed’s Denials and Defense
Travel expenses
Investigators’ Allegations
The WHO accused Wazed of financial fraud connected to travel to China.
Wazed’s Denials and Defense
Wazed said the matter involved $901 and resulted from an assistant’s administrative error in processing routine reimbursements.
Academic credentials
Investigators’ Allegations
The WHO alleged that Wazed misrepresented her academic credentials.
Wazed’s Denials and Defense
Wazed said she held an honorary doctorate for her work on autism in Bangladesh and had clearly disclosed the qualification to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Bangladeshi land
Investigators’ Allegations
The WHO alleged that Wazed illegally acquired a plot of land in Bangladesh.
Wazed’s Denials and Defense
Wazed said she acquired the land before joining the WHO and was entitled to it under a Bangladeshi law covering the families of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Reason for resignation
Investigators’ Allegations
Sources said the WHO was considering formally removing Wazed from the post.
Wazed’s Denials and Defense
Wazed said she lost trust in WHO leadership and stepped down after nearly a year without pay and being prevented from effectively performing her duties.
Key facts
- Position
- WHO Regional Director for Southeast Asia
- Term
- A five-year term beginning in early 2024
- Leave status
- Placed on unpaid administrative leave after initially being sent on leave in July 2025
- Allegations
- Travel-related financial fraud, misrepresented academic credentials and illegal land acquisition
- Wazed’s response
- She denied the allegations and described the $901 travel matter as an assistant’s administrative oversight
- Replacement process
- Sources said nominations were expected October 12, applications would be vetted in December, and an election was planned for January 24
- Investigating bodies
- The World Health Organization and Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission
Quotes
Saima Wazed
Resigning WHO Southeast Asia regional director and daughter of Sheikh Hasina
“I was elected to the position of Regional Director in order to serve the countries in my region, which I had sincerely done, "Since you continue to prevent me from effectively carrying out my duties, I have lost all trust and confidence in your leadership of WHO," "Moreover, after nearly one year without any remuneration following your decision to place me on unpaid leave, my financial situation has become untenable. In these circumstances, I am choosing to step aside."”
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Sources
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