Saima Wazed Biography
Saima Wazed, often recognized by her nickname Putul, was born on December 9, 1972, in Dhaka, Bangladesh. She is a notable figure in the realm of mental health, particularly for her advocacy work concerning autism spectrum disorders. Besides her professional engagements, she is widely known as the daughter of Bangladesh’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, and the granddaughter of the country’s founding father, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Who is Saima Wazed
Saima Wazed is a prominent figure from Bangladesh, well-recognized for her advocacy work in the field of mental health, especially autism. Here’s a concise description of who Saima Wazed is, based on various dimensions of her life and career:
- Early Life and Family: Saima Wazed was born to Sheikh Hasina, the current Prime Minister of Bangladesh, and M. A. Wazed Miah, a nuclear scientist. She is also the granddaughter of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, which places her in a politically significant family lineage.
- Education: She pursued her education at Barry University, Miami, and became a licensed school psychologist, showcasing her early inclination towards mental health and psychology1.
- Professional Advocacy: Saima is globally recognized for her advocacy work concerning autism and mental health. She has served as an advisor to the World Health Organization’s director-general for mental health. Moreover, she played a crucial role in organizing the first South Asian conference on Autism in Dhaka, and has been elected as the chairperson of Bangladesh’s National Advisory Committee on Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders.
- International Recognition: Recently, Saima Wazed was elected as the next Regional Director for Southeast Asia by the World Health Organization, defeating other notable candidates. This position, which she will assume on February 1, 2024, for a five-year term, is a testament to her significant contributions and the international recognition she has garnered in the field of public health.
Saima Wazed Biography
aima Wazed, often known as Saima Wazed Putul, has established a significant presence in the field of mental health, particularly concerning autism awareness. Below is a table summarizing key aspects of her biography:
| Aspect | Details |
| Full Name | Saima Wazed Putul |
| Date of Birth | December 9, 1972 |
| Place of Birth | Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| Parents | Sheikh Hasina (Mother, Prime Minister of Bangladesh) and Dr. M A. Wazed Miah (Father, Nuclear Scientist) |
| Siblings | Brother: Sajeeb Wazed Joy (ICT Expert) |
| Education | – Graduated from Barry University, Miami, as a licensed school psychologist. |
| – Currently completing doctoral studies in Organisational Leadership at Barry University. | |
| Career | – Member of the World Health Organization’s Expert Advisory Panel on Mental Health since 2014. |
| – Advisor to the director general of WHO on mental health and autism since 2019. | |
| – Faculty member at Adrian Dominican School of Education at Barry University. | |
| – Internationally acclaimed autism activist and goodwill ambassador of the United Nations. | |
| Awards | – WHO’s South-East Asia Region Award for Excellence in Public Health (2016) |
| – International Champion Award for outstanding contribution to the field of autism (2017) |
Saima Wazed has significantly contributed to global mental health discourse, primarily focusing on autism awareness.
Saima Wazed Family
Here is a summary of her family details, encapsulated in a table format:
| Aspect | Details |
| Full Name | Saima Wazed Putul |
| Date of Birth | December 9, 1972 |
| Place of Birth | Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| Father | Dr. M A Wazed Miah (Nuclear Scientist) |
| Mother | Sheikh Hasina (Prime Minister of Bangladesh) |
| Sibling | Brother: Sajeeb Wazed Joy |
| Spouse | Khandakar Masrur Hossain Mitu (Son of Bangladeshi politician and former Local Government and Rural Development and Cooperative minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain) |
| Children | Four children |
| Father-in-law | Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain |
| Grandfather-in-law | Khandaker Nurul Islam |
Her brother, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, is also a known figure. Saima is married to Khandakar Masrur Hossain Mitu, and they have four children together. The political and social standing of her family has often put her in the limelight, both nationally and internationally, as seen when she accompanied her mother, the Prime Minister, during a trip to India for the G20 summit.
Saima Wazed Nominated for who regional director
Saima Wazed was nominated as the next Regional Director for the World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Region, a significant role as it oversees the public health outcomes in the region comprising 11 member countries. The nomination process took place during a closed meeting at the Seventy-sixth session of the WHO Regional Committee for Southeast Asia Region. The Member States voted in favour of Ms. Wazed, and the nomination was slated to be submitted to the WHO Executive Board during its 154th session held between 22 and 27 January 2024. Upon approval, the newly appointed Regional Director will assume office on 1 February 2024, marking a significant milestone both for Saima Wazed and for Bangladesh, which nominated her for this position.
Here is a summary of the nomination details in table format:
| Aspect | Information |
| Nominee | Saima Wazed |
| Position | Regional Director for WHO South-East Asia Region |
| Nomination Session | Seventy-sixth session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia Region |
| Voting Outcome | Saima Wazed received the majority of votes from Member States |
| Submission to WHO Board | 154th session of the WHO Executive Board (22-27 January 2024) |
| Assumption of Office | 1 February 2024 |
| Region Covered | South-East Asia, comprising 11 member countries |
This nomination is a testament to Saima Wazed’s commitment to public health and her potential to contribute significantly to the betterment of health outcomes in the Southeast Asia Region.
