In a historic achievement for Bangladesh, Saima Wazed, the daughter of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, stepped into her new role on 1 February 2024 as the Regional Director of the WHO for the South East Asia Region.

The South East Asia Regional Organization (SEARO) is one of the six regions of WHO with its headquarters in New Delhi. It comprises 11 countries, accounting for one-quarter of the global population.

Saima Wazed is an internationally renowned expert on autism and the President of the Bangladesh National Advisory Committee on Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. She is also a US-certified school psychologist and a member of the World Health Organization (WHO) Mental Health Advisory Panel.

For over fifteen years, she has been working tirelessly towards one goal – to transform the lives of children with special needs and their families and enable them to lead meaningful lives in an inclusive society. In a region where children with special needs were stigmatized and considered burdensome, she proved that they are as entitled to love, understanding and opportunities as any other child. Her work has completely changed the outlook for special needs children and their families. 

Saima Wazed graduated from Barry University, USA in 1997 with a Bachelor Degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology in 2002. In 2004, she obtained a specialist degree in School Psychology and became a licensed School Psychologist. Her work on women empowerment was awarded the Outstanding Scientific Presentation Award by the Florida Academy of Science.

At the time, there was hardly any awareness and almost no support for children with neurodevelopment disorders in Bangladesh and the future for these children was bleak. She began to advocate for these issues by initiating dialogue with policymakers and made mental health a priority in the health agenda of Bangladesh. She established the Shuchona Foundation, to develop approaches for early screening of neurodevelopmental disorders and early interventions, special education programs, support of families, occupational training, and social support. Such a holistic approach in the region was revolutionary.

With the support of the Honourable Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, who is herself a foremost proponent for those with disabilities, a task force was set up involving collaboration between eight different ministries, experts, and parents. Her efforts led to the passing of the Disability Law and the National Neurodevelopment Disorders Protection Trust Act – a landmark in the entire South East Asia Region. She organized the first-ever South Asian International Conference on Autism in Dhaka in 2011 attended by regional leaders, policymakers, activists and experts. Her dedicated effort led to the adoption of the International Declaration on Autism. She won international acclaim when the United Nations adopted three of her proposals as resolutions. For her relentless work, she was named the WHO Champion for Autism in the Southeast Asia Region. Her endeavours became a model for the South-East Asia Region and she was awarded the “South-East Asia Award for Excellence in Public Health” by the WHO in 2014. In 2015, she was presented the “Distinguished Alumni Award” by Barry University, Florida in recognition of her immense contribution to public health.  In 2016, Saima Wazed was elected as the President of UNESCO's International Jury Board for Digital Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. In July 2020, she became the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) Thematic Ambassador.

Her efforts led to the adoption of the Neurodevelopmental Disability Protection Trust Act, 2013; Protection of the Rights of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2013; National Strategic Plan for Neuro-Developmental Disorders 2016-2021; Mental Health Act, 2018; National Mental Health Policy 2022; and National Mental Health Strategic Plan, 2020-2025. But led to the adoption of the Neurodevelopmental Disability Protection Trust Act, 2013; Protection of the Rights of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2013; National Strategic Plan for Neuro-Developmental Disorders 2016-2021; Mental Health Act, 2018; National Mental Health Policy 2022; and National Mental Health Strategic Plan, 2020-2025.

One of the most outstanding contributions of Saima Wazed and the Honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was the establishment of the Institute of Pediatric Neuro-Disorder and Autism (IPNA) at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University. Since its inception, IPNA has been conducting advanced research and training programs as well as providing essential services including highly specialized behavioural therapy and counselling on autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. This has been life-changing for children with disabilities and their families, who can now access international standard care right here in Bangladesh. 

At present, Saima Wazed works with special needs children all around the world and is a consultant for Autism Speaks USA. She is also an Adjunct Faculty at Barry University, USA, a visiting faculty at Dhaka University and the National Institute of Mental Health and Hospital, Dhaka. She also is a visiting specialist at BSMMU.

As Saima Wazed assumes her new position as the WHO South East Asia Regional Director, the world eagerly awaits the positive changes and impactful initiatives she will bring to the region's healthcare landscape. We congratulate her on this historic achievement and look forward to a brighter, healthier future under her capable leadership.

The writer is a professor of Respiratory Medicine and Treasurer of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh