Bangladesh ex-premier Hasina’s daughter Saima Wazed quits WHO regional post

Saima Wazed Putul, daughter of ousted Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, resigned Wednesday as World Health Organization Southeast Asia regional director following fraud investigations by the agency and Bangladeshi authorities.

Wazed, who began a five-year term in 2024, had been on unpaid administrative leave since 2025. The World Health Organization (WHO) accused her of financial fraud related to travel to China and of misrepresenting her academic credentials. Wazed denied both allegations.

“I have lost all trust and confidence in your leadership of WHO,” Wazed wrote in her resignation letter to director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. She also said nearly a year without pay had made her financial situation untenable.

Two sources said WHO had been preparing to formally remove Wazed. One source said nominations for a replacement are expected to open Oct. 12, with elections scheduled for Jan. 24.