Special Correspondent //

The controversial regional director of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) South-East Asia Regional Office, Saima Wazed Putul, has been sent on indefinite leave. Chief Advisor’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam welcomed the global organization’s decision.

On Saturday (July 12), Shafiqul Alam posted on the matter from his verified Facebook account.

In that post, he wrote, ‘We welcome the decision to send Saima Wazed on indefinite leave. An investigation is underway against her for serious allegations such as fraud, use of fake certificates and abuse of power. We see the WHO’s decision as an important first step on the path to accountability.’

He also wrote, ‘We strongly believe that a permanent solution is needed, in which Saima Wazed is removed from her post, all her benefits are revoked, and the integrity of this prestigious position and the credibility of the UN system are restored. The people of Bangladesh and the world are pleased to see the emergence of transparency, integrity and justice.’

In a report, the international health organization Health Policy Watch said that WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told staff in a brief internal email that Putul would be going on leave from Friday and would be replaced by Assistant Director-General Dr. Katharina Boehm. Boehm will join the New Delhi office on Tuesday, July 15.

The allegations stem from Putul, the daughter of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled the country after protests broke out in August, and her appointment as regional director.

Although Putul took office in January 2024, there were allegations from the beginning that her influential mother, Sheikh Hasina, had exerted influence in her favor. According to a previous report by Health Policy Watch, the ACC launched an investigation in January based on these allegations.

According to the ACC’s formal charge sheet, Putul gave false information about her academic record while campaigning for the position of regional director, which is a violation of sections 468 (forgery with intent to defraud) and 471 (use of forged documents) of the Bangladesh Penal Code.

ACC Deputy Director Akhtarul Islam said Putul tried to demonstrate her qualifications by showing off an honorary position she held at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, which the university denied.

Putul is also accused of collecting about $2.8 million from various banks for the Shuchona Foundation he heads, which is alleged to have been done through abuse of power. However, the ACC did not provide details on how this money was used.

These charges include abuse of power under Section 420 of the Penal Code (deceit and dishonesty) and Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947.

Since the filing of the charges, Putul has not been able to travel normally in the Southeast Asian region due to fear of arrest in Bangladesh.

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