India, Sept. 12 -- Nearly a year after being sidelined, former WHO South-East Asia Regional Director Saima Wazed, daughter of former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, has broken her silence. She says the World Health Organisation closed its investigation into allegations concerning her travel to China in August 2026 and found them "unsubstantiated". She was informed of the finding in early August, she says, and the reports were sent to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. She has received no further communication since.

Wazed had taken charge in February 2024 for a five-year term, becoming the first person from Bangladesh and the second woman to hold the post. She was later placed on leave amid allegations of fraud, qu...