Saima Wazed, daughter of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has resigned from her position at the World Health Organization. She took this decision on Wednesday while serving as WHO’s Regional Director for South-East Asia, amid ongoing inquiries into allegations of fraud against her.
Saima Wazed took charge as WHO Regional Director for a five-year term in early 2024. However, she has been on unpaid administrative leave since last year. Allegations against her include financial fraud, providing false information regarding her educational qualifications, and a land purchase in Bangladesh.
Saima Wazed sent her resignation letter to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday. In her letter, she stated that she had been prevented from carrying out her responsibilities effectively. She said she had completely lost trust and confidence in WHO’s leadership. She also said that going nearly a year without pay had put her in a difficult financial position, which is why she decided to step down from the post.
Saima Wazed was placed on leave in July 2025. Prior to that, in March 2025, Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission had filed cases against her involving allegations of fraud and forged documents. In a letter sent to WHO by her lawyers on July 3, 2026, she stated that WHO had raised allegations against her involving financial fraud of $901 related to a trip to China, as well as allegations that she had provided false information about her educational qualifications.
However, Saima Wazed has denied these allegations. She said the $901 matter related to her trip to China was not intentional fraud on her part, but resulted from an administrative error by an assistant who handles routine expense reimbursements. Meanwhile, reports indicate that nominations for the new Regional Director post are likely to be announced on October 12, with applications set to be reviewed in December and elections likely to be held on January 24.