WHO Official and Hasina’s Daughter, Saima Wazed, Takes Indefinite Leave Amid Corruption Charges
Saima Wazed, the South-East Asia Regional Director for the World Health Organization (WHO) and daughter of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has gone on indefinite leave from her post, the global health agency confirmed on Friday.
The WHO acknowledged her leave in an official email response but did not provide any details about the reasons behind her decision or the duration of her absence.
The development comes shortly after Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed formal charges against Wazed, accusing her of fraud, forgery, and abuse of power. The allegations, which have sparked a wave of political and public reaction in Bangladesh, have added further scrutiny to Wazed’s high-profile role within the international health body.
Wazed’s mother, Sheikh Hasina, who had served as Bangladesh’s Prime Minister for several terms, left the country in August 2024 amid growing political tensions and mounting legal challenges. While Hasina’s departure drew widespread international attention, the corruption allegations against her daughter have intensified the focus on the Hasina family and their ongoing influence in Bangladeshi politics and institutions.
As of now, the WHO has remained tight-lipped about whether Wazed’s legal troubles in Bangladesh played any part in her decision to step away from her role. There has also been no official word from Wazed herself.
Wazed, a psychologist by training and a long-time advocate for autism awareness and mental health, was appointed Regional Director in early 2024 after a controversial selection process that drew both praise and criticism from member states.
Her future with the WHO remains uncertain as legal proceedings in Bangladesh move forward.
No comments:
Post a Comment