--- title: "WHO action against Saima Wazed under scrutiny, calls for independent probe" url: https://projectchintan.com/article/who-action-sawal-wazed-probe-osg6t publisher: Project Chintan author: Project Chintan Newsroom section: Health published: 2026-08-19T00:07:25.802Z modified: 2026-08-19T02:00:08.807Z language: en-IN --- # WHO action against Saima Wazed under scrutiny, calls for independent probe Saima Wazed, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia since Feb 2024, remains on indefinite leave since July 2025 amid ACC corruption cases in Bangladesh. She seeks an independent inquiry and has questioned WHO’s handling, alleging political interference by Bangladesh’s interim government. ## Key takeaways - Saima Wazed was the WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia from February 2024 until placed on indefinite leave in July 2025. - Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission filed two cases against her, prompting WHO to place her on leave pending an inquiry. - Wazed alleges the action was influenced by Bangladesh’s interim government and has called for an independent investigation and greater transparency. - WHO has acknowledged her ongoing leave but has not publicly detailed the review process or outcome, citing confidentiality. ## What Happened Saima Wazed, the daughter of former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who had held the role of WHO Regional Director for the South-East Asia Region since February 2024, was placed on indefinite leave on July 11, 2025. The leave came four months after Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission filed two cases against her on charges that included corruption, fraud, and abuse of power. An acting regional director was appointed in the interim, a term that has since ended. Wazed has publicly contended that the action was taken at the behest of Bangladesh’s then interim government led by Mohammad Yunus and has called for an independent investigation into the decision, arguing due process was bypassed. WHO confirmed that she remains on leave but did not comment on specific cases, citing confidentiality. Wazed’s representatives have continued to press for transparency and due process, and she has indicated potential legal remedies should adequate inquiry processes not be disclosed or initiated. ## Why It Matters The case raises questions about how international bureaucracies handle personnel actions that may be influenced by external political considerations. Wazed has alleged misrepresentation of facts to member states and alleged bias and harassment by the organization. The situation involves interactions between WHO, Bangladesh’s government institutions, and the Anti-Corruption Commission, with internal communications reportedly indicating Bangladesh government objections and concerns about the legitimacy of her election as factors in the decision to place her on leave. The broader implications touch on transparency, due process, and the perceived independence of international public health bodies when confronted with political pressures. ## Background Wazed took charge as WHO Regional Director for the South-East Asia Region in February 2024. In July 2025, she was placed on indefinite leave pending an inquiry. The Bangladesh ACC had filed two cases against her in connection with corruption, fraud, and abuse of power. An acting regional director had been named during the interim period, and this acting tenure has concluded. Wazed has asserted that the action was influenced by the Bangladesh government at that time, led by Mohammad Yunus, and has criticized the process for lacking due professional channels and diplomacy. WHO has acknowledged she remains on leave but has not publicly detailed ongoing reviews or outcomes of any complaints, stating only that established channels exist for staff complaints and that confidentiality applies to specific cases. ## Key Facts - Saima Wazed became WHO Regional Director for the South-East Asia Region in February 2024. - She was placed on indefinite leave on July 11, 2025, pending an inquiry. - The Bangladesh Anti-Corruption Commission filed two cases against her for corruption, fraud, and abuse of power. - An acting regional director was appointed after her leave, and that tenure has ended. - Wazed alleges the action was taken at the behest of Bangladesh’s interim government led by Mohammad Yunus and claims due process was bypassed. - She has repeatedly sought an independent investigation and transparency regarding the decision; her latest communication was sent via legal representatives in the prior month. - WHO confirmed she remains on leave but did not disclose details of any ongoing review, citing confidentiality. ## What Happens Next According to the reporting, Wazed has warned of legal recourse if transparency and an independent inquiry are not pursued. WHO indicated that there are established channels for staff complaints, but it did not provide specifics on ongoing investigations or outcomes related to her case. The public record thus far points to continued questions about due process and the role of external political influence in internal WHO actions, with no publicly disclosed timeline for resolution. --- Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/who-action-sawal-wazed-probe-osg6t Reported from: Multiple Sources