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New Delhi/London: Saima Wazed, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Director for Southeast Asia and daughter of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has resigned from her position following fraud investigations by the WHO and Bangladeshi authorities.
Wazed submitted her resignation on Wednesday, according to a resignation letter seen by Reuters. Her departure comes after months of controversy surrounding allegations of financial fraud, questions over her academic credentials and an alleged land acquisition in Bangladesh. Wazed has denied the allegations.
Saima Wazed Resigns From WHO Position
Wazed began serving as the WHO’s Southeast Asia regional director in early 2024 on a five-year term. However, she was placed on unpaid administrative leave in 2025 following allegations raised by Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and subsequent investigations involving the WHO.
Her resignation is effective immediately, according to reports based on her resignation letter.
The development brings an end to Wazed’s tenure as the head of the WHO’s Southeast Asia regional office, a position that plays an important role in coordinating health policy, disease response and health emergencies across the region.
What Are the Fraud Allegations Against Saima Wazed?
The allegations against Wazed involve several separate issues.
According to a July 2026 letter from her lawyers cited by Reuters, the WHO accused her of committing financial fraud related to travel to China and of misrepresenting her academic credentials. Wazed rejected the allegations.
Wazed reportedly said the travel-related issue involved an administrative mistake by an assistant handling routine reimbursement claims. The amount involved was approximately $901, according to her response cited by Reuters.
Regarding her academic credentials, Wazed said she held an honorary doctorate for her work on autism in Bangladesh and had informed WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus about the qualification.
Land Acquisition Allegation Also Investigated
The WHO also raised questions over Wazed’s acquisition of a plot of land in Bangladesh.
In her resignation letter, Wazed rejected the allegation that the land had been illegally acquired. She said she obtained the property before joining the WHO and argued that she was entitled to it under Bangladeshi legislation relating to the families of the country’s independence leader, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, her grandfather.
The land allegation adds another dimension to the investigations that have surrounded Wazed since she was placed on administrative leave.
Wazed Says She Lost Trust in WHO Leadership
In her resignation letter to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Wazed said she had lost trust and confidence in the WHO leadership.
She argued that she had been prevented from effectively performing her responsibilities as regional director. Wazed also cited the financial consequences of remaining on unpaid leave for nearly a year as a reason for her decision to step down.
Wazed did not provide further comment on her resignation beyond the issues outlined in her letter.
WHO Had Placed Wazed on Unpaid Leave
Wazed was initially placed on leave in July 2025, after Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission filed cases against her alleging fraud and forgery.
The accusations emerged after the political upheaval in Bangladesh that resulted in Sheikh Hasina leaving office in 2024. The controversy surrounding Wazed subsequently became linked to broader scrutiny of members of Hasina’s family and political network.
The WHO later maintained Wazed’s administrative leave while investigations continued.
The organization has declined to provide detailed public comments on the case, citing confidentiality.
WHO to Begin Process for New Regional Director
Wazed’s resignation means the WHO will need to begin the process of selecting a new regional director for Southeast Asia.
According to sources cited by Reuters, the WHO could begin accepting nominations for the position in October, with candidate screening expected later in the year and an election potentially taking place in January.
Regional directors are elected by member states and serve a key role in implementing WHO policies while coordinating responses to disease outbreaks and public health emergencies.
The Southeast Asia region includes countries such as India and Bangladesh, making the position strategically important for global health policy.
Why Saima Wazed’s Resignation Matters
Saima Wazed’s resignation is significant because the controversy involves both the WHO’s internal processes and investigations by Bangladeshi authorities.
Her departure also comes at a politically sensitive time for Bangladesh following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government. Several figures associated with the former government have faced legal or corruption-related cases since the 2024 political upheaval.
For the WHO, the immediate priority will be maintaining continuity in regional health leadership while the organization moves toward selecting a permanent replacement.
For Wazed, meanwhile, the resignation closes a turbulent chapter of her tenure, although the allegations against her remain disputed and she has denied wrongdoing.
What Happens Next?
The next major development will be the WHO’s process for selecting a new Southeast Asia regional director.
The organization is expected to continue handling the allegations through its internal procedures, while investigations by Bangladeshi authorities remain a separate matter.
For now, Wazed’s resignation marks a major leadership change at the WHO Southeast Asia regional office and highlights the continuing legal and political consequences surrounding allegations made against the former Bangladeshi leader’s family.
Saima Wazed has denied the allegations against her, and the claims should not be treated as established facts unless confirmed through the relevant investigations or legal proceedings.
