The interim government has requested to remove Saima Wazed Putul, daughter of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, from the World Health Organization due to allegations of corruption.
Apurba Jahangir, Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, said this at a press briefing organized on contemporary issues at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital on Wednesday (October 30).
He said, Saima Wazed Putul, the current Regional Director for Southeast Asia, is dysfunctional for us. A case has been filed against her on charges of criminal offences and financial crimes, due to which the World Health Organization has been informed not to communicate through her.
He also said that the Bangladesh government has sent a letter to the World Health Organization. The letter mentioned that Bangladesh can communicate directly with the World Health Organization and not through the regional director.
He also said that the government has requested the World Health Organization to take action against Saima Wazed Putul. In this regard, Shafiqul Alam, the press secretary of the chief adviser, said, "We have also asked the World Health Organization to inform us about the measures being taken in this regard." Earlier, in November last year, Saima Wazed was elected as the director of the World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Region. The election was held at the WHO regional conference held in New Delhi, India. She will serve for a period of five years.