Saima Wazed takes WHO grievance to little-known Australian news outlet
Saima Wazed, daughter of fugitive prime minister Sheikh Hasina, has published an opinion article in a relatively little-known Australian news outlet, accusing the World Health Organization (WHO) of denying her due process and treating her unfairly because of her family identity.
The article, titled “I was reduced to my family name and denied due process by WHO,” appeared Tuesday in The Australia Today, a Melbourne-based digital publication.
The outlet identifies itself as providing “News, analysis and opinions from Australia focused on multicultural communities and the Indian subcontinent.”
The article marks Saima's second public intervention in less than a month. On September 19, she wrote for India's Firstpost, similarly alleging politically motivated mistreatment by WHO leadership.
In her latest piece, Saima argued that her professional achievements had been overshadowed by her relationship with Hasina following the political upheaval in Bangladesh in August 2024.
“After the political changes of August 2024, I found myself defined only by my family connection,” she wrote.
She accused WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of failing to ensure an impartial process despite being aware of what she described as a politically motivated campaign against her.
Saima also disputed allegations concerning a land allocation in Bangladesh and a $901 travel reimbursement claim involving a trip to China.
She maintained that the allegations lacked merit and questioned the fairness of the proceedings against her.
From WHO leadership to public dispute
Saima took office as WHO's regional director for South-East Asia in February 2024, following her nomination and appointment through the organization's governing process.
Her position subsequently came under scrutiny amid investigations into allegations involving financial misconduct, academic qualifications and a land allocation in Bangladesh.
She was placed on administrative leave before resigning in September 2026. She has denied wrongdoing.
In her earlier Firstpost article, titled “When politics overtakes due process: My year of professional exile at WHO,” Saima questioned WHO's handling of the allegations and accused its leadership of failing to protect her from political pressure.
Tuesday's article revisited those grievances while also defending her mother's political legacy and criticizing Bangladesh's post-2024 political transition.
Saima said she intended to continue working on mental health and the rights of people with neurodevelopmental conditions despite leaving WHO.
The latest publication extends her public challenge to WHO beyond formal institutional proceedings, placing her account before another international audience.
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