Saima Wazed, regional director of the World Health Organisation’s South-East Asia region, has resigned from the post amid investigations into allegations of financial fraud and other irregularities, according to international news agency Reuters and Indian media reports.
Reuters reported on Wednesday that Saima submitted her resignation to WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, citing a resignation letter seen by the news agency.
In the letter, Saima said she had lost confidence in the WHO leadership and decided to step down after being unable to perform her duties and spending nearly a year without remuneration while on unpaid leave, according to Reuters.
The WHO accused Saima of ‘committing financial fraud in relation to her travel to China’ and of misrepresenting her academic credentials, according to a separate letter from her lawyers to the WHO on July 3, 2026, seen by Reuters. Saima has denied the allegations.
She previously said an alleged financial irregularity involving travel expenses was the result of an administrative error by a staff member.
She has also disputed allegations concerning her academic credentials and the acquisition of land in Bangladesh.
Saima, daughter of deposed Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, took office as WHO regional director for South-East Asia in February 2024 for a five-year term.
She was placed on leave in 2025 following allegations investigated by the WHO and Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission.
The WHO has not yet issued a public statement confirming Saima’s resignation. Its South-East Asia website currently says that she is on leave and that Dr Nilesh Buddha has been serving as officer-in-charge since August 17, 2026.
Saima’s resignation comes as the WHO South-East Asia Regional Committee is holding its annual session in Dili, Timor-Leste, from September 7 to 10.
