Latest news with #Wazed
India.com
13-07-2025
- Health
- India.com
Bad news for ex Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina as her daughter Saima Wazed put on..., Yunus government accuses her of...
New Delhi: Saima Wazed, daughter of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Haisna and the Regional Director for WHO South East Asia, has been sent on indefinite leave by the World Health Organisation (WHO). According to the reports, the move comes amid Bangladesh's interim government's claim that she was involved in corruption during Hasina's regime. Health Policy Watch reported that WHO Director General Tedros Ghebreyesus has 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). Saima Wazed: All You Need To Know Saima Wazed is the daughter of Bangladesh's former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. She was born 9 December 1972 She served as the South East Asian regional director for the World Health Organization from November 1, 2023 to July 11, 2025. Saima Wazed graduated from Barry University. She is a licensed school psychologist. Wazed organized the first South Asian conference on Autism in 2011 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. She is the chairperson of National Advisory Committee on Autism and Neurodevelopmental disorders. She campaigned for 'Comprehensive and Coordinated Efforts for the Management of Autism Spectrum Disorders' resolution at the World Health Assembly which adopted the resolution, Autism Speaks praised her for spearheading 'a truly global push for support for this resolution'. She had been drafted as a global autism advocate of World Health Organization's (WHO) 25-member Expert Advisory Panel on mental health for 4 years in 2014. In November, 2016, Wazed had been elected as chairperson of International Jury Board meeting of UNESCO for Digital Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. In April 2017, Wazed was designated as WHO Champion for Autism' in South-East Asia. In July, 2017 she became the WHO's goodwill ambassador for autism in the South-East Asia Region. Since 2022, Wazed has been a member of the Commission for Universal Health convened by Chatham House and co-chaired by Helen Clark and Jakaya Kikwete. Charges Against Wazed Bangladesh Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) lodged cases against Wazed in connection with her academic qualification while seeking the high-profile job earlier this year. According to ACC's charges, Wazed used 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. Wazed is also accused of being involved in extensive corruption during her mother's tenure as Bangladesh's leader. According to the ACC, she used her influence and connections to unlawfully obtain approximately $2.8 million from multiple banks, channeling the money through the Shuchona Foundation, an organization she formerly led.
The Hindu
12-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
WHO Regional Director Saima Wazed proceeds on indefinite leave in the wake of corruption charges in Bangladesh
Saima Wazed, Regional Director of the World Health Organization's (WHO) South-East Asia Region, has proceeded on indefinite leave from Friday (July 11, 2025), the global health body's spokesperson confirmed to The Hindu on Saturday (July 12, 2025) in an email response. The WHO did not respond to the question of why Ms. Wazed had proceeded on leave. Catharina Boehme is serving as officer-in-charge in Ms. Wazed place. The move follows Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission filing cases against Ms. Wazed for fraud, forgery, and misuse of power. Ms. Wazed is the daughter of the former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled the country in August 2024. Ms. Saima Wazed's appointment as Regional Director has also been under question, with charges of having used her mother's influence during the campaign, and of providing false information on her academic record during in her candidature for the post, allegedly violating Section 468 of the Bangladesh Penal Code (forgery for the purpose of cheating), and Section 471 (forging a document). According to the WHO's website, Ms. Wazed took office as the WHO Regional Director for the South-East Asia Region on February 1, 2024, for a five-year term. In this role, Ms. Wazed has been mandated to direct international health work in 11 countries, an area with a population of over two billion people. Prior to taking up this role, Ms. Wazed served as advisor on mental health and autism to the WHO Director-General, and was a member of the WHO's expert advisory panel on mental health, her website states. Ms. Wazed is a licensed school psychologist, nationally certified in the U.S. She was also Chief Advisor for the Bangladesh government's National Mental Health Strategic Plan; Chairperson of the National Advisory Committee on Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Bangladesh; and focal person for people with disabilities in the Bangladesh Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.
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First Post
12-07-2025
- Health
- First Post
Hasina's daughter Saima Wazed put on indefinite leave by WHO
Earlier this year, Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) accused Hasina's daughter of using her mother's influence to achieve her victory as the regional chief of the WHO read more Advertisement FILE- Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, centre, is flanked by her daughter Saima Wazed. AP The World Health Organisation has sent Sheikh Hasina's daughter, Saima Wazed, the Southeast Asia chief, on indefinite leave amid Bangladesh's interim government's assertion that she was involved in fraud and corruption during the former prime minister's rule. A report by Health Policy Watch says that the WHO Chief, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, informed the staff about Wazed's indefinite leave via an email. The leave went into effect from yesterday (June 11). His email added that Dr Catharina Boehme, WHO's assistant director-general, would replace Wazed in taking over the office of the UN health agency's South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What are the allegations against Wazed? Earlier this year, Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) accused Hasina's daughter of using her mother's influence to achieve her victory as the regional chief of the WHO. Wazed is also alleged of misrepresenting her academic qualifications during the nomination process, according to ACC Deputy Director Akhtarul Islam. The alleged act falls under Sections 468 and 471 of the Bangladesh Penal Code, which cover forgery and the use of forged documents. She also provided false information regarding her professional experience by claiming an honorary role at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, which has been categorically denied by the varsity. What else has she been accused of? Wazed has also been accused of widespread corruption during her mother's rule in Bangladesh. The ACC alleges that Wazed exploited her position and influence to secure approximately $2.8 million from multiple banks under the name of the Shuchona Foundation, which she previously headed. Although the exact use of the funds remains uncertain, the charges include Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and Section 5(2) of the 1947 Prevention of Corruption Act for abuse of power. Interim govt welcomes move The Muhammad Yunus-led interim government has welcomed the WHO's decision to put Wazed on leave. 'We welcome the World Health Organisation's reported decision to place Saima Wazed on indefinite leave amid ongoing investigations into serious allegations of fraud, forgery and abuse of power. We view this as an important first step toward accountability,' Shafiqul Alam, Yunus' press secretary, said. He added, 'We firmly believe that a permanent resolution is necessary, one that removes Ms. Wazed from her position, revokes all associated privileges and restores integrity to this prestigious role and the credibility of the UN system as a whole.'
Hans India
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
As B'desh marks one year of July protests, former PM Hasina's son says 'democracy under threat'
Sajeeb Wazed, son of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, on Tuesday, highlighted that 10 months after last year's violent July protests in the South Asian country, many people have begun to realise the gravity of their mistake "after being misled" into participating in the movement. Last year, starting July 1, Bangladesh witnessed a violent student movement demanding reforms of the quota system in government jobs, which led to the overthrow of the democratically elected government of Hasina. The unceremonious exit of Hasina last August following the violent student protests was globally seen as a major setback to the democratic set-up in the Muslim-majority nation of nearly 170 million people. Bangladesh is currently in a state of political limbo under the caretaker government led by Muhammad Yunus, until the promised general elections in 2026. Former Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Advisor to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Wazed, also asserted that the "independence of the nation, the safety of its people, and its democratic foundation are all under threat, in the hands of an authoritarian regime without any public mandate." "Recognising a mistake is not weakness -- it is the beginning of courage. Let us stand together for our country and its people. The July Riots of July–August 2024 mark one of the darkest chapters in Bangladesh's recent history. Fueled by foreign funding and backed by extremist forces, that period of violence and unrest saw the involvement of many -- some knowingly, others misled and confused," Wazed said in a post on X. "Many members of the professional community -- people who had served the country for years -- fell into the trap of misinformation, rumours, and false promises and thus became part of that conspiracy. To those we see on social media, in the press, or in private expressing regret, disillusionment, and sorrow for having been misled -- we bear no resentment. We seek no vengeance," the post added. Emphasising that the Awami League does not believe in the politics of revenge, Wazed stated that, inspired by the ideals of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the party believes in "forgiveness, empathy, and always looking toward the future." The former Advisor called on the people to unite for the sake of "freedom, democracy, and the sovereignty of Bangladesh." "Let us forget divisions of party, opinion, profession, or past choices -- and act now to save Bangladesh from the grip of this authoritarian rule. Even if it is late, we thank you for your awakening. Now is the time to act for the country. Now is the time to stand with the people," Wazed stated. Meanwhile, last month, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) charged Hasina with crimes against humanity. It has set July 1 (Tuesday) as the date of the hearing of charges against the former Prime Minister and two others over crimes against humanity.
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Yoga offers path to sustainability: WHO regional director Saima Wazed
In a world facing environmental challenges , yoga offers a path to sustainability by encouraging people to live simply, consume mindfully, and respect the natural world, WHO South-East Asia Regional Director Saima Wazed said on the eve of International Day of Yoga . "In embracing yoga, we can reduce our ecological footprint and contribute to a healthier planet," she said in a statement on Friday. The International Day of Yoga, marked annually on 21 June, celebrates this timeless practice that nurtures body and soul, she said. It was first proposed by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the United Nations General Assembly in 2014. Recognizing yoga's universal appeal, he suggested the Summer Solstice - 21 June - as a symbolic date, Wazed said. With 177 UN member states co-sponsoring the resolution, the proposal received overwhelming support, and the day was first celebrated in 2015, starting a global wellness movement, she said. This year's theme, "Yoga for One Earth, One Health," reminds us of the deep connection between our well-being and the health of our planet, she added. "Yoga is more than just physical exercise. It is a journey towards inner peace and harmony, and teaches us to listen to our bodies and to live mindfully. As we practice yoga, we become more aware of our surroundings, and more attunes to the rhythm of nature," Wazed stated. "In a world facing environmental challenges, yoga offers a path to sustainability by encouraging us to live simply, consume mindfully, and respect the natural world. In embracing yoga, we can reduce our ecological footprint and contribute to a healthier planet," she said. Clean air, pure water, and fertile soil are essential for our well-being. Yoga encourages us to protect these vital resources and ensure a thriving planet for future generations, Wazed said. The benefits of yoga are well-documented, she said. Studies have shown that 77 per cent of people report feeling physically stronger after practising yoga regularly. 82 per cent of patients with chronic inflammation experienced a nearly 50 per cent reduction in inflammation after just six weeks of daily yoga. Yoga can also help mental health, she added. A study by Harvard Medical School found that 60 per cent of participants with depression experienced a significant reduction in symptoms after practising yoga twice a week for eight weeks, Wazed said.
