Saima Wazed

Saima Wazed

Regional Director

WHO
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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

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Regional Director, Saima Wazed met Maldives' Foreign Minister Dr Abdulla Khaleel to explore collaboration focused on strengthening healthcare delivery. Their discussions aimed at enhancing health systems and addressing key health priorities in Maldives.

WHO Maldives

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Regional Director Saima Wazed visited the Home for People with Special Needs on K Guraidhoo Island, Maldives, to explore ways to enhance support and learn from caregivers' efforts to improve well-being of individuals with special mental or physical needs.

WHO Maldives

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Regional Director, Saima Wazed, visited the Faafu Atoll PHC Demonstration Site, emphasizing Maldives’ innovative PHC transformation and commitment to health equity by decentralizing essential services and making health care more accessible to communities.

WHO Maldives

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Regional Director, Saima Wazed, visited the Faafu Atoll PHC Demonstration Site, emphasizing Maldives’ innovative PHC transformation and commitment to health equity by decentralizing essential services and making health care more accessible to communities.

WHO Maldives

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Regional Director, Saima Wazed visited Magoodhoo Health Center to observe reoriented PHC services and patient care pathways. The visit showcased Maldives' efforts to enhance integrated, community-based care and improve access to essential health services.

WHO Maldives

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Regional Director Saima Wazed, met with Mr Abdulla Nazim, Minister of Health, Maldives and discussed collaboration on key initiatives, such as tobacco control, capacity building for healthcare professionals, and enhancing urban primary healthcare systems.

WHO Maldives

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Regional Director, Saima Wazed met WHO country staff and discussed strengthening health and well-being initiatives. Discussions focused on enhancing programmes, tackling health challenges, and aligning with national priorities for better health outcomes.

WHO Maldives

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Regional Director, Saima Wazed met Maldives' Foreign Minister Dr Abdulla Khaleel to explore collaboration focused on strengthening healthcare delivery. Their discussions aimed at enhancing health systems and addressing key health priorities in Maldives.

WHO Maldives

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Regional Director, Saima Wazed met WHO country staff and discussed strengthening health and well-being initiatives. Discussions focused on enhancing programmes, tackling health challenges, and aligning with national priorities for better health outcomes.

WHO Maldives

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Regional Director Saima Wazed visited the Home for People with Special Needs on K Guraidhoo Island, Maldives, to explore ways to enhance support and learn from caregivers' efforts to improve well-being of individuals with special mental or physical needs.

WHO Maldives

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Regional Director, Saima Wazed visited the Maldives from 15 to 19 October, engaging with health officials, senior political leaders, and community members. This was her first visit to Maldives since assuming office on 1 February this year.

WHO Maldives

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Regional Director Saima Wazed, met with Mr Abdulla Nazim, Minister of Health, Maldives and discussed collaboration on key initiatives, such as tobacco control, capacity building for healthcare professionals, and enhancing urban primary healthcare systems.

WHO Maldives

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To strengthen Thalassaemia prevention, management and control, Regional Director Saima Wazed, H.E. Uz Hussain Mohamed Latheef, Vice President of Maldives and Mr Abdulla Nazim, Minister of Health, launched National Master Plan for Thalassaemia (2024–2034).

President’s Office, Maldives

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Regional Director, Saima Wazed, together with the Maldives' Health Minister and WHO country representative, launched the Maldives-WHO Country Cooperation Strategy. Setting future goals for health equity and primary care.

WHO Maldives

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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

WHO Timor-Leste/ Emilia Moniz

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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

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

WHO Timor-Leste

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

WHO Timor-Leste

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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

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

WHO/ Ploy Phutpeng

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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

WHO/ Ploy Phutpeng

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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

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

WHO/ Ploy Phutpeng

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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

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

WHO Bhutan

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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

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

Royal Government of Bhutan

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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

WHO Bhutan

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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

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

WHO Bhutan

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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

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

Government of Bhutan

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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

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Regional Director, Saima Wazed met Maldives' Foreign Minister Dr Abdulla Khaleel to explore collaboration focused on strengthening healthcare delivery
Visit to Home for People with Special Needs, K. Guraidhoo Island, Maldives
Regional Director, Saima Wazed, visited the Faafu Atoll PHC Demonstration Site, Maldives
Regional Director, Saima Wazed, visited the Faafu Atoll PHC Demonstration Site, Maldives
Regional Director, Saima Wazed visited Magoodhoo Health Center to observe reoriented PHC services and patient care pathway, Maldives
Regional Director, Saima Wazed, met with Mr Abdulla Nazim, Minister of Health, Maldives and discussed collaboration on key initiatives
Regional Director, Saima Wazed met WHO country staff and discussed strengthening health and well-being initiatives, Maldives
Regional Director, Saima Wazed met Maldives' Foreign Minister Dr Abdulla Khaleel to explore collaboration focused on strengthening healthcare delivery (7)
Regional Director, Saima Wazed met WHO country staff and discussed strengthening health and well-being initiatives, Maldives
Visit to Home for People with Special Needs, K. Guraidhoo Island, Maldives
Regional Director, Saima Wazed's first visit to Maldives
Regional Director, Saima Wazed, met with Mr Abdulla Nazim, Minister of Health, Maldives and discussed collaboration on key initiatives
Launch of National Master Plan for Thalassaemia (2024–2034), Maldives
Launch of the Maldives-WHO Country Cooperation Strategy
WHO South-East Asia Regional Director, Saima Wazed with WHO Representative to Timor-Leste on her first visit to Timor-Leste.
WHO South-East Asia Regional Director, Saima Wazed, in a meeting with the Hon’ble President José Ramos-Horta, Timor-Leste.
WHO South-East Asia Regional Director, Saima Wazed, at 10 Decembro School, Timor-Leste.
Mobile diagnostic van, a TB lab on wheels, supported by WHO and the Global Fund, handed over to Ministry of Health, Timor-Leste.
Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Health presented its collaborative efforts with WHO, to Saima Wazed, Regional Director.
Regional Director inaugurated projects at the National Institute of Public Health of Timor-Leste, including the Simulation Skills Centre.
Regional Director, along with other dignitaries, performed groundbreaking ceremony for Field Epidemiology Training Center.
Regional Director inaugurated Timor-Leste’s first PSA Oxygen plant.
Handing over ventilators, monitors, other life-saving equipment and Medical Camp Kits, Timor-Leste.
Handing over an advanced care ambulance with Automated External Defibrillators to the Ministry of Health, Timor-Leste.
Saima Wazed, Regional Director, met with Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, Prime Minister of Timor-Leste.
The Regional Director met Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, UNESCAP Executive Secretary, at UN Thailand
Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia, Saima Wazed was one of the keynote speakers at the 4th National Conference on Antimicrobial Drug Resistance (AMR)
The Regional Director highlighted the importance of collective efforts to address antimicrobial resistance
We must continue to strengthen collaboration between human health, animal health and the environment sectors with a One Health approach
The Regional Director met Mr. Somsak Thepsutin, Minister of Public Health of Thailand
Regional Director met Dr Thiti Sawangtham, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Mental Health, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand and team
The meeting focused on further collaboration and knowledge exchange on mental health initiatives
Regional Director Saima Wazed met Dr Jadej Thammatacharee, Secretary-General of the National Health Security Office (NHSO) in Thailand
The WHO Thailand office welcomed Regional Director Saima Wazed
The Regional Director and WHO Thailand office staff discussed ongoing projects
Regional Director Saima Wazed met Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade Lyonpo DN Dhungyel.
Regional Director Ms Wazed joined Health Minister Lyonpo Tandin Wangchuk to virtually inaugurate CT Scan Services at Jigme Dorji Wangchuck Military Hospital in Dewathang.
Regional Director Saima Wazed called on Prime Minister Lyonchhen Dasho Tshering Tobgay
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Health Minister Lyonpo Tandin Wangchuk hosted a dinner in honour of the Regional Director Saima Wazed.
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
Regional Director Saima Wazed met Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade Lyonpo DN Dhungyel.
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.
Regional Director Saima Wazed called on Prime Minister Lyonchhen Dasho Tshering Tobgay.
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.