The World Health Organization (WHO) has placed Saima Wazed Putul, its Regional Director for South-East Asia, on indefinite leave following corruption allegations filed against her in Bangladesh.

According to a report by Health Policy Watch, an independent global health publication, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus informed staff in an internal email that Wazed would be on leave from Friday (11 July). 

WHO Assistant Director-General Dr Catharina Boehme has been appointed Officer-in-Charge of the regional office in her absence.

The decision comes four months after Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed two cases against Wazed, accusing her of forgery, fraud, and abuse of power during her bid to become regional director.

Saima Wazed, daughter of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina—who left the country last August amid anti-government protests—assumed office at WHO’s South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO) in January 2024. 

Her appointment had drawn criticism, with opposition groups and civil society alleging that her mother’s political influence played a role in securing the position.

According to the ACC charges, Wazed allegedly submitted false academic credentials during her campaign for the WHO role, violating Sections 468 and 471 of Bangladesh’s Penal Code related to forgery and document falsification. 

She is also accused of falsely claiming an academic affiliation with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), which the institution reportedly denied.

Additionally, investigators allege that Wazed misused her position and influence to collect around US$2.8 million from various financial institutions for the Shuchona Foundation, a non-profit she previously led.

SMS/