WHO Southeast Asia chief resigns amid fraud probe

Saima Wazed submitted her resignation letter on Wednesday, stepping down from her position as WHO regional director for Southeast Asia, according to documents reviewed by international news agencies. The resignation comes as both the UN health body and Bangladeshi authorities conduct fraud investigations into her tenure.

Wazed, also known as Puti, had held the regional leadership position overseeing health policy and programmes across Southeast Asia. Her resignation marks a significant development for the WHO's regional operations, coming at a time of political upheaval in Bangladesh following the departure of her mother, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The timing of the investigations reflects growing scrutiny of governance practices within international organizations. The WHO has not made an official public statement regarding the specific allegations or the scope of its inquiry.

Wazed's departure signals potential complications for WHO's regional agenda in Southeast Asia at a time when the organization faces mounting pressures to demonstrate institutional accountability and transparency across its global operations.