Sheikh Hasina’s daughter resigns from WHO post amid fraud allegations

DHAKA: Saima Wazed, daughter of former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, has resigned as the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Director for South-East Asia amid ongoing investigations into allegations of financial and other irregularities.

Her resignation became public on September 9, 2026, as inquiries involving the WHO and Bangladeshi authorities continued. Wazed, who has denied all allegations against her, had been on unpaid administrative leave since 2025.

The allegations reportedly include questions over expenses linked to a trip to China, claims concerning inaccurate information in her educational credentials, and matters related to the acquisition of land in Bangladesh.

Wazed has rejected the accusations and defended herself over the travel-expense issue, describing it as an administrative error by staff rather than wrongdoing on her part.

Her resignation brings renewed attention to a senior WHO position that had already been surrounded by controversy since investigations into the allegations began.

Wazed was elected as Regional Director for the WHO South-East Asia Region and assumed the position in 2024. The role places its holder at the centre of public-health policy across a region home to billions of people and several major health systems.

The controversy surrounding Wazed has also drawn attention because of her family background. She is the daughter of Sheikh Hasina, who served for years as Bangladesh’s prime minister before leaving the country amid major political upheaval.

The investigations and allegations, however, remain separate from her family relationship, and Wazed has consistently denied the claims against her.

The travel-expense allegation concerns costs associated with a trip to China. According to Wazed’s explanation, the discrepancy resulted from an administrative mistake by staff. The other allegations concern her academic credentials and property-related matters in Bangladesh.

Her decision to step down follows a period in which she was already away from active duties on unpaid administrative leave. The resignation is expected to bring further scrutiny to the investigations and the circumstances surrounding her appointment and tenure.

For the WHO, the development creates a leadership change in its South-East Asia regional office at a time when the region continues to face major public-health challenges.

The organization is expected to address the vacancy through its established leadership process, while questions surrounding the allegations against Wazed may continue to be examined by the relevant authorities.

Wazed’s resignation does not by itself establish wrongdoing. Any final determination regarding the allegations will depend on the outcome of the ongoing investigations.