The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that Saima Wazed, the chief of its South-East Asia regional agency (SEARO), is “on leave” following accusations of fraud. Wazed, daughter of former Bangladeshi leader Sheikh Hasina, faces charges of fraud, forgery, and abuse of power brought by Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in March. The charges could lead to her arrest if she returns from her post in India.
The WHO stated that Wazed is “currently on leave” and that Catharina Boehme, an assistant director-general at the WHO’s Geneva headquarters, is serving as officer-in-charge during this period. Boehme’s appointment follows a letter from the ACC requesting the WHO’s assistance in facilitating Wazed’s appearance before Bangladeshi courts regarding a “serious criminal offence.” Allegations against Wazed include illegally obtaining a government residential plot.
Wazed’s election as regional director of SEARO in 2023 was marked by allegations of nepotism. Kul Chandra Gautam, a former assistant UN secretary-general, described Wazed’s résumé as “very thin,” suggesting she would not have been a serious candidate if not for her familial ties. Wazed has previously dismissed such nepotism allegations as “offensive,” asserting that she possesses the necessary skills for the job.
SEARO, which manages an annual budget exceeding $500 million, plays a crucial role in health policy and programs across 11 countries, serving a population of 2 billion people. However, since Wazed’s election, Indonesia has withdrawn from SEARO to join the WHO’s Western Pacific Region.
Bangladesh’s interim government, which assumed power after Sheikh Hasina’s removal and is led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, has welcomed reports of Wazed’s leave.
Further accusations against Wazed involve leveraging her position and political connections to funnel approximately Tk330 million ($2.7 million) through the Shuchona Foundation, a Bangladesh-based non-profit organization she chairs. ACC officials allege that several banks were pressured into routing funds to the foundation, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest, abuse of power, and a lack of transparency.