Dr. Muhammad Mahtab Hossain Mazed

Autism specialist Saima Wazed Putul, daughter of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has won the post of Southeast Asia regional director of the World Health Organization, which consists of 11 countries.

Voting was held on the third day of the 76th session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia held in New Delhi on Wednesday (1 November 2023). Member States voted to nominate Saima Wazed.

Saima Wazed's rival for that post was Nepal's Dr. Shambhu Prasad Acharya. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam said that the member countries voted 8-2 to appoint Saima Wazed as regional director for five years.

SEARO is one of six regional offices of the World Health Organization; This office consists of representatives of member countries. Bangladesh, Bhutan, North Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Myanmar are members of the office.

The nomination will be submitted at the 154th session of the WHO to be held from January 22 to 27, 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland, according to the World Health Organization website. Newly appointed regional director Saima Wazed will take charge on February 1.

Saima Wazed, chairperson of the Bangladesh National Advisory Committee on Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, is also a member of the World Health Organization's Expert Advisory Panel on Mental Health. He also serves as the 'Goodwill Ambassador for Autism' in the WHO South-East Asia Region for his innovative work as a spokesperson for people with autism in Bangladesh.

After being nominated by the Government of Bangladesh for the post of Regional Director of SEARA, he said, if elected, he plans to work closely with member states to implement his vision in public health policy and practice in the region.

Saima Wazed joined Chatham House's Global Health Program as an Associate Fellow last August. Since 2022, he has been serving there as the Universal Health Commissioner. The Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina and prominent nuclear scientist Dr. Wazed Mia's daughter Saima Wazed Putul was born on December 9, 1972 in newly independent Bangladesh. She received her Bachelors in Psychology in 1997, Masters in Clinical Psychology in 2002 and Specialist in School Psychology in 2004 from Barry University, USA.

While studying at Barry University, she began researching the development of women in Bangladesh. His research work on this topic was recognized as the best scientific presentation by the Florida Academy of Science.

Saima Wazed Puthul started working on autism and neurological disorders in children since 2008. He is also serving as the Chairperson of the National Committee on Autism in Bangladesh. Saima Wazed Puthul, well-known as an autism expert, has gained worldwide acclaim for her work in a short span of time. In September 2014, the World Health Organization presented him with the 'Who Excellence' Award.

A psychologist, Saima also works as a consultant for Autism Speaks, a US-based research organization. He joined the World Health Organization's Expert Advisory Panel on Mental Health from June 2013. He has been working on various issues including the rights of autistic children all over the world.

On the initiative of Saima Wazed Putul, the first international conference on autism was held in Dhaka in 2011. 'South Asian Autism Network (SAAN)' was formed. Which is headquartered in Bangladesh. In his efforts, the 'Neurodevelopmental Disability Trust Act 2013' was passed in Bangladesh. She has also been included in the list of 100 creative women leaders in global mental health.

Saima Wazed is also working as a Goodwill Ambassador on behalf of World Health Organization in Southeast Asia for various policy-making related to autism in Bangladesh. In 2016, he was also elected as the President of UNESCO's International Jury Board for Digital Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. Saima Wazed Putul has established a service organization named 'Suchna Foundation' to work on autism in a more comprehensive manner.

In the context of global climate change, the CVF is a coalition of 48 countries at risk. And Chairman of Bangladesh CVF. Four ambassadors have been nominated to the alliance. One of them is Saima Wazed Hussain Putul. The other three are former Maldives president Nasheed Kamal, Philippines deputy speaker Loren Legreda and Congolese climate expert Tosi Mapnu. On behalf of CVF, the four ambassadors are campaigning to raise awareness among the public about climate-risks.

Finally, I want to say that the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina and prominent nuclear scientist Dr. Wazed Mia's daughter Saima Wazed Puthul has once again anointed the Bengali nation with a unique status in the World Darbar by being elected as the Regional Director of Southeast Asia of the World Health Organization. The people of Bangladesh are very happy and proud of this unique achievement. On this occasion, Jatiya Rogi Kallyan Society wishes and congratulates Autism Specialist Saima Wazed Puthul. We believe that Autism expert Saima Wazed Puthul will further accelerate WHO's work in Southeast Asia with her talent, thinking, wisdom, experience and visionary leadership. I wish him continued success and prosperity.

The writer is a columnist and researcher Founder and Chairman, Jatiya Rogi Kallyan Society