Hasina’s daughter resigns as WHO regional head after fraud allegations

Saima Wazed, the daughter of ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has resigned as the World Health Organization's (WHO) Southeast Asia regional head, citing allegations of fraud and misrepresentation by both the UN agency and Bangladeshi authorities. The allegations, first reported by Reuters, stem from investigations conducted by the UN agency and Bangladeshi authorities.

Wazed took office as the Southeast Asia regional director in early 2024, serving a five-year term. She was placed on unpaid administrative leave late last year and in July 2025 after Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission filed charges against her in March 2025, alleging fraud and forgery related to her travel to China. The WHO also accused Wazed of misrepresenting her academic credentials and illegally acquiring a plot of land in Bangladesh, a claim she has denied.

In her resignation letter addressed to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Wazed expressed her sincere commitment to serving her region and the loss of trust in WHO leadership, which led to her resignation. She also stated that her financial situation has become untenable following nearly a year of unpaid leave.