Saima : Saima Wajed, head of the World Health Organization’s South-East Asia region and daughter of ousted former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, resigned from her post on Wednesday. This information has been revealed in his resignation letter seen by Reuters. This development took place at a time when the UN body and Bangladeshi authorities were investigating him for alleged fraud. Saima Wazed’s case shows how the political fallout from the deadly uprising against Sheikh Hasina in mid-2024 that followed her ouster from power extended beyond her associates to family members. Many of Hasina’s political allies are facing criminal charges, including corruption, in Bangladesh or are living in voluntary exile like her.
Saima Wazed accused of fraud and forgery (Saima)
Saima Wajed, who became WHO regional director for South-East Asia for a five-year term beginning in 2024, was placed on administrative leave without pay by the organization late last year. Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission, under the interim government that replaced Sheikh Hasina, had filed charges of fraud and forgery against him in March. After this he was sent on leave. According to a letter dated July 3, 2026, seen by Reuters, WHO had accused him of financial fraud related to the China trip and giving false information about his educational qualifications. However, Saima Wazed has rejected these allegations.
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“I worked with complete honesty” (Saima)
In her resignation letter to WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Saima Wajed said that the organization had also accused her of allegedly illegally acquiring land in Bangladesh. She said she had acquired the land before joining WHO and was entitled to it under the law applicable to the families of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, leader of Bangladesh’s independence movement and Sheikh Hasina’s father. Saima Wazed said in her resignation letter that she was elected as the regional director with the aim of serving the countries of her region and she performed this responsibility with full honesty. He alleged that he was constantly hindered from carrying out his duties effectively, which led to a complete erosion of his trust and confidence in WHO’s leadership. He also said that he has not received his salary for almost a year and due to the decision to put him on leave without pay, his financial condition has become very bad. Under these circumstances he decided to step down from the post. Saima Wazed declined to comment further on the matter. There was no immediate response from WHO when contacted for comment. The organization confirmed last month that Wazed was on leave, but declined to comment further on his case, citing confidentiality.