After the upheaval in her country, Saima Wazed, the daughter of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, stated on Thursday that she was “heartbroken” with the loss of lives in Bangladesh and also because she could not hug her mother.
“Heartbroken with the loss of life in my country that I love,” said Wazed, who is also the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for South East Asia, in a post on X.com.
Expressing sadness over her country’s affairs, the Regional Director said she was heartbroken because she “could not see and hug mother during this difficult time.”
Despite the personal turmoil, Wazed reassured that she remains “committed” to her role as the Regional Director at WHO, a testament to her dedication and professionalism.
Wazed took office as WHO Regional Director for the Southeast Asia Region on February 1 this year. She succeeded Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, an Indian national who became the first woman to assume the office in 2014.
Previously, Wazed advised the WHO Director-General on mental health and autism and was a member of WHO’s Expert Advisory Panel on Mental Health.
Wazed’s professional background is extensive and impressive. She is a licensed School Psychologist who is nationally certified in the US. She holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in clinical psychology and a specialist degree in school psychology from Barry University in Florida, US.
The unrest in Bangladesh is primarily due to nationwide protests over job quotas. In the wake of this agitation, Hasina resigned as the country’s Prime Minister and reportedly fled to India, leaving the country in a state of political uncertainty.
After her resignation, Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin dissolved the Parliament.
On Wednesday, Bangladeshi Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman said an interim government headed by Nobel Laureate and noted economist Muhammad Yunus will be sworn in on Thursday night. He said the interim government will have an advisory council of 15 members.
The Army Chief also noted that the situation across the country is improving significantly, and normalcy will return within the next three to four days.
–IANS
