Bangladesh objects to communication with World Health Organization via Saima Wazed

Bangladesh seeks to establish direct communication with the World Health Organization while excluding Saima Wazed Putul, the regional director for South-East Asia.

During a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka on Wednesday, the Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Advisor Apurba Jahangir said the government has sent a letter to the WHO requesting direct contact without involving Saima, reports bdnews24.com.

Apurba said Saima is no longer considered effective for the government due to several criminal cases and allegations of financial misconduct against her.

Saima, the daughter of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, currently works at the WHO's office in India’s New Delhi.

She has been accused in several cases after the fall of the Awami League government.

Shafiqul Alam, the press secretary to the chief advisor, said: “This matter is ethical. She [Saima] has been accused of financial crimes and other offences. “

“Her [Saima] bank accounts have been frozen, and the BFIU [Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit] is investigating her. Thus, working through her is not an option,”he added.