Saima Wazed, who assumed the role of WHO regional director for Southeast Asia in early 2024, has officially resigned from her post. Her tenure was marked by controversy, as the organization placed her on unpaid administrative leave late last year following allegations of fraud. Wazed, the daughter of ousted Bangladeshi leader Sheikh Hasina, was initially appointed to a five-year term.

While the specific details regarding the fraud allegations remain limited in public reports, the administrative leave signaled a significant disruption in her leadership of the regional office. Her resignation concludes a brief and turbulent term that began amidst scrutiny regarding her professional background and political connections. The WHO has not yet released a detailed statement regarding the specific findings of the investigation that led to her leave, nor have they outlined the immediate process for selecting a successor to lead the Southeast Asia regional office.