DHAKA, Nov 6, 2023 (BSS) - Health Minister Zahid Maleque today said it is milestone achievement for Bangladesh as Saima Wazed has been nominated as World Health Organisation's (WHO) new regional director for South East Asia for a five-year term.

"The SEARO member countries voted to nominate Saima Wazed for WHO's regional director as they have confidence on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina... It means this is a success of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina," he told at a press conference at his ministry here, an official release said.

On November 1, Bangladesh candidate Saima Wazed has been nominated as World Health Organisation's (WHO) new regional director for South East Asia region for a five-year term beginning from 2024 in an election, defeating lone candidate from Nepal.
 
Member states voted to nominate Saima Wazed during a closed meeting at the seventy-sixth session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia Region.
 
Saima, incidentally the daughter of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is known for her global campaign on mental health with extra focus on autism.
 
Officials familiar with the election process said in line with the practice, her nomination would be submitted to the WHO Executive Board during its 154th session, taking place on 22-27 January, 2024 in Geneva of Switzerland.

The foreign ministry said Saima was elected in a secret ballot with the participation of 10 member states of WHO regional nations including India while she bagged 8 votes and her contender Dr Shambhu Prasad Acharya of Nepal received 2.

"The newly appointed regional director will take office on 1 February 2024," the Bangladesh's foreign ministry in a statement said.