Ms. Saima Wazed has officially taken charge as the Regional Director for the World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Region, marking a significant milestone. Hailing from Bangladesh, she becomes the first from her country and the second woman to hold this prestigious office. 

This responsibility was conferred upon her by the Member countries of WHO South-East Asia during the Regional Committee session on 1 November 2023 in New Delhi. The WHO Executive Board formalized her appointment on 23 January 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland.

In her new role, Ms. Wazed will oversee international health efforts across 11 countries with a combined population exceeding 2 billion people. Emphasizing her vision, she aims to fortify both Member States and the WHO to address health disparities within the framework of present-day realities and challenges. Additionally, her objectives include enabling Member States to formulate and execute innovative local solutions for robust and equitable health systems, with a particular focus on empowering disadvantaged and vulnerable groups.

During her acceptance speech at the WHO Executive Board in Geneva, Ms. Wazed outlined her top priorities. These include a robust emphasis on mental health and well-being, a previously overlooked domain. She also expressed a commitment to promoting health equity, particularly through tailored interventions for women and children with a comprehensive life-course approach. Harnessing technology for innovations in various public health spheres is another key aspect of her agenda.

Key focal points of Ms. Wazed’s priorities include promoting universal health coverage with a primary health care approach, enhancing emergency response and pandemic preparedness, fostering collaboration and partnerships at regional and multi-sectoral levels, and monitoring progress with a focus on vulnerable populations such as indigenous peoples, refugees, and migrant populations affected by conflict, economic challenges, and environmental crises.

Before assuming this role, Ms. Wazed served as an advisor to the WHO Director-General on mental health and autism. She also held significant positions, including Chief Advisor for the National Mental Health Strategic Plan for the Government of Bangladesh, Chairperson of the National Advisory Committee on Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, and Focal Person for disability for the Ministry of Disaster Management & Relief in Bangladesh. Additionally, Ms. Wazed contributed to global health initiatives as an Associate Fellow in the Global Health Programme at Chatham House, Thematic Ambassador for ‘Vulnerability’ of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, and Chairperson of the Shuchona Foundation in Bangladesh.