Dhaka, July 12 -- Saima Wazed Putul, the World Health Organization's (WHO) Regional Director for South-East Asia, has been placed on indefinite leave, four months after the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh filed two cases against her on charges of fraud, forgery and misuse of power, according to the Health Policy Watch.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the decision in a brief internal email, stating that Wazed would be on leave starting Friday (July 11).

He also said WHO Assistant Director-General Dr Catharina Boehme would assume responsibility as Officer-in-Charge of the SEARO office in Wazed's absence. Boehme is expected to arrive at the SEARO headquarters in New Delhi on Tuesday (July 15).

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