Govt wants direct communication with WHO, not through Saima

The interim government seeks direct communication with WHO, bypassing Regional Director Saima Wazed, says CA office. Photo- PID

Dhaka, Oct 30 -The interim government is trying to communicate directly with the World Health Organization (WHO) instead of doing it through Regional Director for South-East Asia and daughter of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Saima Wazed Putul, says Chief Adviser’s press wing on Wednesday.

“We have sent a letter to the World Health Organization seeking direct communication instead of doing it through (regional director) Saima Wazed Putul. She is dysfunctional for us,” CA’s Deputy Press Secretary Apurba Jahangir told reporters at a media briefing at Foreign Service Academy.

He said Saima has been accused in a number of cases and is linked to “deposed autocrat” Sheikh Hasina.

Apurba said they do not know whether she has her best interest for Bangladesh.

Adding with Apurba, Chief Advisor's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said the issue here is “ethical”.

Alam said she has been accused of some crimes including financial ones and her bank account is frozen and Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) is investigating the alleged financial crimes. “That is why there is no question of working with her.”

The World Health Organization has also been asked to inform them what action it is taking in this regard.

Saima began her five-year term on 1 February 2024. She is the first from Bangladesh and the second woman Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia Region.

She was nominated as the next Regional Director in a vote by the Regional Committee for South-East Asia on 1 November 2023 in New Delhi, India. - UNB