Team Blitz India
NEW DELHI: Samia Wazed, daughter of Bangladesh Prime Minister 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 SouthEast 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. Both the candidates had canvassed intensively for their nomination.
