Team Blitz India
NEW DELHI: Samia Wazed, daughter of Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, was voted as the World Health Organisation’s new regional director for South-East Asia for a four-year term beginning in 2024, the global health organisation said on October 1.
“Member states voted to nominate Saima Wazed during a closed meeting at the 76 session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia Region,” the WHO statement said.
Dr Shambhu Prasad Acharya, a senior WHO official, was the other candidate. He was nominated by Nepal.
While Samia received eight votes, Acharya secured two votes, according to a statement from the Bangladesh High Commission.
Bangladesh said the election of Saima as the WHO’s new regional director for the South-East Asia region reflects the recognition of her passion for public health and demonstrates the confidence and trust in her leadership skills.
The election posed a dilemma for India as Samia and Acharya belonged to friendly countries but in the end India-backed Samia.Samia will be the first Bangladeshi to hold the post created in 1948.
