Dhaka, Feb. 1 -- Saima Wazed on Thursday assumed charge as Regional Director for World Health Organization South-East Asia Region.

She is the first from Bangladesh and the second woman to hold this office. She was nominated to lead the Region by Member countries of WHO South-East Asia at the Regional Committee session on 1 November 2023 in New Delhi and appointed by the WHO Executive Board on 23 January 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland.

Saima Wazed will direct international health work in 11 countries with over 2 billion people, said a press release.

Outlining her vision, the Regional Director said her goal is to strengthen Members States and WHO to address health gaps in the context of current realities and challenges; enable Member States...