Sheikh Hasina’s Daughter Saima Put On Indefinite Leave By WHO Over Corruption Charges

Last Updated:July 12, 2025, 22:34 IST

Saima Wazed, daughter of deposed Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, is on indefinite leave from WHO amid corruption allegations. Dr. Catharina Boehme will replace her.

Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina's daughter Saima Wazed. (File)

In an unprecedented move, Saima Wazed – the Regional Director for WHO South East Asia and daughter of deposed Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina – has been sent on indefinite leave by the World Health Organisation (WHO) amid Bangladesh’s interim government’s claim that she was involved in corruption during Hasina’s regime.

According to a report by Health Policy Watch, WHO Director General Tedros Ghebreyesus circulated an email informing the staff that Wazed would be on leave from July 11.

His email further said that Dr Catharina Boehme, WHO’s assistant director-general, would replace Wazed in the UN health agency’s South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO).

Charges Against Wazed

Earlier this year, Bangladesh Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) lodged cases against Wazed in connection with her academic qualification while seeking the high-profile job.

The ACC also accused Wazed of using her mother’s influence to achieve the position of the regional chief of the WHO.

As per the report, she falsely stated she held an honorary position at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, a claim the university has refuted.

It is also alleged that Wazed was engaged in widespread corruption while her mother governed Bangladesh. The ACC asserted that she leveraged her authority and connections to illicitly secure around $2.8 million from several banks, funnelling the funds through the Shuchona Foundation, which she once headed.

Sheikh Hasina Indicted In Bangladesh

Meanwhile, a special tribunal indicted Bangladesh’s ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday by accepting charges of crimes against humanity filed against her in connection with a mass uprising in which hundreds of students were killed last year.

A three-member panel, headed by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder, indicted Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun on five charges. Hasina and Khan are being tried in absentia.

Responding to the panel’s decision, Hasina’s Awami League party condemned the trial process and said the tribunal was a “kangaroo" court.

The tribunal opened the trial on June 5. Authorities published newspaper advertisements asking Hasina, who has been in exile in India, and Khan to appear before the tribunal. Hasina has been in exile since August 5.

Shobhit Gupta

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...Read More

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...

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News world Sheikh Hasina’s Daughter Saima Put On Indefinite Leave By WHO Over Corruption Charges