Saima Wazed, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) controversial regional director for the South East Asia Regional Office (SEARO), is on indefinite leave from Friday (11 July) – four months after Bangladesh’s Anti Corruption Commission  (ACC) filed two cases against her for fraud, forgery and misuse of power.

WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus notified staff in a brief internal email that Wazed would be on leave from Friday and that WHO Assistant Director-General Dr Catharina Boehme would “serve as the Officer in Charge” in Wazed’s place. Boehme would reach the SEARO office in New Delhi on Tuesday, 15 July, Tedros added.

The charges against Wazed, daughter of Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who fled the country last August after protests, stem from her bid to be appointed regional director.

Wazed took office in January 2024 but her campaign was shadowed by claim that her influential mother used her influence to ensure her daughter’s election.

The ACC investigation into these claims began in January, as previously reported by Health Policy Watch.

According to the formal charges, Wazed is alleged to have provided false information about her academic record during her campaign for regional director, violating Section 468 of the Bangladesh Penal Code (forgery for the purpose of cheating) and Section 471 (forging a document).  

The ACC also alleges she misrepresented her qualifications by claiming an honorary role at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, which the university disputes, to secure her WHO position. The charges were detailed  by ACC Deputy Director Akhtarul Islam,

Wazed is also accused of having misused her power and influence to collect about $2.8 million from various banks for the Shuchona Foundation, which she used to head.  

The ACC case did not provide complete details on how the money was then used. Those charges include: allegations of fraud and misuse of power under Sections 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property); , as well as Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act of 1947.

Since the charges were laid, Wazed has been unable to travel properly in the SEARO region as she faces arrest in Bangladesh.

*Additional reporting by Elaine Fletcher.

Image Credits: WHO.