Saima Wazed Placed on Leave Amid WHO Bid and Criticism Over Credentials

Saima Wazed has been placed on indefinite leave from her DGHS post as scrutiny grows over her WHO candidacy and alleged credential concerns.

Pressure Mounts Over Appointment and Transparency

Saima Wazed, currently running for WHO South-East Asia Regional Director, was serving as an adviser on mental health and neurodevelopment at Bangladesh’s Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

On July 7, DGHS issued a notice granting her indefinite leave, citing a need to prevent any conflict of interest during the WHO campaign. Read further on Prothom Alo.

But the move also follows growing criticism from within Bangladesh’s health sector. Several professionals and senior officials have raised concerns over the transparency of her appointment process and discrepancies in her reported educational qualifications.

A Strategic Withdrawal Before the October Election

Wazed was nominated in May as Bangladesh’s candidate for the WHO regional post.
Since then, she has visited Bhutan and Sri Lanka, meeting senior health officials to lobby support.

Her indefinite leave is being seen by some as a tactical response to criticism – a way to ease domestic pressure while continuing her international campaign.

Despite the backlash, Wazed retains her position as Chairperson of the National Advisory Committee on Autism and continues to serve as a WHO Goodwill Ambassador.