Saima Wazed

Regional Director

WHO

About the Regional Director

Saima Wazed, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia

Saima Wazed took office as WHO Regional Director for the South-East Asia Region on 1 February 2024 for a five-year term. In this role, Ms Wazed will direct international health work in 11 countries with a population of over 2 billion people.

Prior to taking up this role, Ms Wazed served as advisor to the WHO Director-General on mental health and autism, and was a member of WHO’s Expert Advisory Panel on Mental Health. She was 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. She was Commissioner of Chatham House’s Commission for Universal Health, 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.

Ms Wazed, a licensed School Psychologist, nationally certified in the USA, holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in clinical psychology, and a Specialist degree in school psychology from Barry University in Florida, USA.

23 January 2024

News release

Ms Saima Wazed appointed WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia

Ms Saima Wazed, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia

WHO

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Saima Wazed, Regional Director, WHO SEARO, visited Timor-Leste from August 21st to 24th, where she met health leaders and officials and inaugurated multiple projects. This was her first visit to the country after assuming office on 1 February this year.

WHO Timor-Leste/ Cirilo Danis

Regional Director, Saima Wazed, met with the Hon’ble President José Ramos-Horta, and assured WHO’s commitment as a partner in Timor-Leste’s health journey.

WHO Timor-Leste/ Cirilo Danis

On August 22, Regional Director, Saima Wazed, visited 10 Decembro School, where the school-based Primary Health Care Package has been aligned with the Integrated School Health Program. She observed health screenings, HPV vaccinations, and more.

WHO Timor-Leste/ Emilia Moniz

One-Stop mobile diagnostic van, a TB laboratory on wheels, supported by WHO and the Global Fund, was handed over to the Ministry of Health this month. On August 22, Regional Director, Saima Wazed, observed its demonstration in the Comoro community.

WHO Timor-Leste/ Emilia Moniz

Highlighting the health milestones achieved since the country's independence two decades ago, Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Health presented its collaborative efforts with WHO, in a meeting with Saima Wazed, Regional Director.

WHO Timor-Leste/ Cirilo Danis

Regional Director, Saima Wazed, inaugurated projects at the National Institute of Public Health of Timor-Leste. She also handed over 300 medical and nursing education books to its library.

WHO Timor-Leste/ Emilia Moniz

The Regional Director, along with other dignitaries, performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the Field Epidemiology Training Center.

WHO Timor-Leste/ Emilia Moniz

On August 23, Saima Wazed, Regional Director, inaugurated Timor-Leste’s first PSA Oxygen plant. This facility, utilizing smart technology to convert air into pure oxygen, will significantly improve access to this life-saving resource.

WHO Timor-Leste

To help enhance prehospital preparedness, Saima Wazed, Regional Director, handed over ventilators, monitors, other life-saving equipment and Medical Camp Kits.

WHO Timor-Leste

Regional Director Saima Wazed handed over an advanced care ambulance equipped with Automated External Defibrillators to the Ministry of Health.

WHO Timor-Leste

Saima Wazed, Regional Director, met Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, Prime Minister, Timor-Leste. They discussed strengthening collaboration in maternal and child health, communicable and noncommunicable diseases, and global warming.

WHO Timor-Leste/ Cirilo Danis

The Regional Director met Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, UNESCAP Executive Secretary, at UN Thailand.

WHO/ Ploy Phutpeng

On her first visit to Thailand as Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia, Saima Wazed was one of the keynote speakers at the 4th National Conference on Antimicrobial Drug Resistance (AMR), attended by experts, policymakers, and stakeholders.

WHO/ Ploy Phutpeng

The Regional Director highlighted the importance of collective efforts to address antimicrobial resistance and protect public health, at the 4th AMR forum.

WHO/ Ploy Phutpeng

We must continue to strengthen collaboration between human health, animal health and the environment sectors with a 'One Health' approach, said Saima Wazed, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia.

WHO/ Ploy Phutpeng

The Regional Director met Mr. Somsak Thepsutin, Minister of Public Health of Thailand. Their discussions focused on collaborative efforts to advance public health initiatives in Thailand, and joint commitment to promoting health and well-being for all.

WHO/ Ploy Phutpeng

Regional Director met Dr Thiti Sawangtham, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Mental Health, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand and team.

WHO/ Ploy Phutpeng

The meeting focused on further collaboration and knowledge exchange on mental health initiatives.

WHO/ Ploy Phutpeng

Regional Director Saima Wazed met Dr Jadej Thammatacharee, Secretary-General of the National Health Security Office (NHSO) in #Thailand 🇹🇭 and discussed the ongoing efforts to enhance Thailand’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) scheme.

WHO/ Ploy Phutpeng

The WHO Thailand office welcomed Regional Director Saima Wazed, on her first visit to the country after assuming office in February.

WHO/ Ploy Phutpeng

The Regional Director and WHO Thailand office staff discussed ongoing projects, future strategies, and ways to strengthen efforts in promoting health and well-being across Thailand.

WHO/ Ploy Phutpeng

Regional Director Saima Wazed met Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade Lyonpo DN Dhungyel.

WHO Bhutan

Regional Director Ms Wazed joined Health Minister Lyonpo Tandin Wangchuk to virtually inaugurate CT Scan Services at Jigme Dorji Wangchuck Military Hospital in Dewathang.

WHO Bhutan

Regional Director Saima Wazed called on Prime Minister Lyonchhen Dasho Tshering Tobgay.

Royal Government of Bhutan

Regional Director Saima Wazed met Dasho Dechen Wangmo, head of The PEMA Secretariat which aims to promote well-being of all Bhutanese with enabling mental health policies and programs, and a proactive service delivery network

WHO Bhutan

The Regional Director met Her Excellency Bangladesh Prime Minister Ms Sheikh Hasina on 26 March and discussed strengthening health workforce, particularly to address the impact of climate change, and achieve universal health coverage.

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Bangladesh

Along with His Excellency the King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, the Regional Director visited Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery where Health Minister Dr Samanta Lal Sen briefed them about the institute.

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Bangladesh

Regional Director WHO South-East Asia, Saima Wazed, visited Bhutan as a State Guest from 28 March – 1 April during which she visited various health facilities, inaugurated CT scan services. This was her first to the country as Regional Director.

WHO Bhutan

Regional Director Saima Wazed visited the National Traditional Medicine hospital and Menjong Sorig Pharmaceutical in Thimphu. She commended Bhutan’s seamless integration of traditional medicine with modern medicine at all levels of health care.

WHO Bhutan

Health Minister Lyonpo Tandin Wangchuk hosted a dinner in honour of the Regional Director Saima Wazed.

WHO Bhutan

Regional Director Ms Wazed joined Health Minister Lyonpo Tandin Wangchuk to virtually inaugurate CT Scan Services at Jigme Dorji Wangchuck Military Hospital in Dewathang. This WHO supported initiative aims at bringing advanced healthcare closer to people

WHO Bhutan

Regional Director Saima Wazed met Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade Lyonpo DN Dhungyel.

WHO Bhutan

Regional Director Saima Wazed inaugurated an open gym at Dechen Phodrang Monastery in Bhutan. WHO is installing 42 open gyms across the country to promote healthy living, especially in the monastic community.

WHO Bhutan

Regional Director Saima Wazed called on Prime Minister Lyonchhen Dasho Tshering Tobgay.

Government of Bhutan

Ms Wazed visited the Kuzugchen Primary Health Centre in Kabisa, Thimphu. Bhutan’s health system follows a tiered structure with PHCs bringing health services to the grassroots across the country.

WHO Bhutan

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Bangladesh

Regional Director Ms Saima Wazed met the United Nations Country Team and held an informal consultation with partners on priority health issues.

WHO Bangladesh

Regional Director Ms Saima Wazed inaugurated the new WHO country office on 24 March, and held a town hall meeting with all staff to discuss strengthening WHO’s work to advance health and well-being in Bangladesh.

WHO Bangladesh