WHO places Saima Wazed Putul on indefinite leave

The World Health Organization (WHO) has placed Saima Wazed Putul, its embattled regional director for South-East Asia and daughter of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, on indefinite leave, months after the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) brought charges of fraud, forgery, and abuse of power against her Putul's leave took effect from Friday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced in an internal email, according to Health Policy Watch.

In her absence, WHO Assistant Director-General Dr Catharina Boehme will take over and is expected to arrive at the SEARO headquarters in New Delhi by Tuesday.

The move follows two criminal cases filed in March by the anti-graft watchdog against Putul in a government crackdown after her mother fled the country on Aug 5, 2024.

The cases accuse Putul of submitting false academic information and misrepresenting her qualifications during her campaign for the WHO post, the report added.

According to ACC Deputy Director Akhtarul Islam, Putul allegedly forged documents in violation of Sections 

468 and 471 of the Penal Code. She also reportedly cited an honorary affiliation with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), a claim the university denies.

Putul's election as SEARO chief in January 2024 was mired in controversy, with critics alleging her mother used political influence to engineer the outcome.

Beyond the forgery allegations, Putul is accused of collecting nearly $2.8 million from various banks for the Shuchona Foundation, which she previously led, using her influence and position.

The ACC says she misused these funds, though specific details remain undisclosed. The charges include offences under Section 420 of the Penal Code, which involves fraud, as well as Section 5(2) of the 1947 Prevention of Corruption Act.

Since being charged, Putul has reportedly been unable to travel freely within the WHO's regional jurisdiction due to the risk of arrest in Bangladesh.