Geneva, July 12 (V7N) – Saima Wazed Putul, the World Health Organization’s Regional Director for South-East Asia, has been placed on indefinite leave, according to a report by global health watchdog Health Policy Watch. The decision comes in the wake of an ongoing corruption investigation by Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Putul, who joined WHO early last year, is under scrutiny for allegedly providing false academic credentials during her candidacy for the high-level UN post. The ACC filed two cases against her four months ago under sections 468 and 471 of the Penal Code, which deal with fraud, forgery, and abuse of power. The commission began its inquiry in January 2025.

Critics have alleged that Putul’s appointment to WHO was influenced by her mother, Sheikh Hasina, the then Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

In her absence, WHO announced that Dr. Katharina Boehme, Assistant Director-General, will oversee the responsibilities of the South-East Asia Regional Office until further notice.

END/RH/AJ