Online Desk: Andy Shih, chief science officer at Autism Speaks (a non-profit autism awareness body and the largest autism research organization in the United States), has extended his support to the nomination of Saima Wazed by the Government of Bangladesh for the post of Regional Director of WHO’s South-East Asia Region (SEARO). Recalling his decade old work experiences with Saima Wazed, Shih, in a testimonial, observed: “It is clear that Saima embodies a potent combination of expertise as a school psychologist, effective mental health advocate and political acumen.” “I have known and admired Saima for over almost two decades,” he wrote.

On the potential impact of her victory, Shih added, “The success of a regional director is dependent on both the technical expertise and the ability to navigate complicated politics across member states. Most importantly, Saima brings to this opportunity a deep connection to the people and families of SEARO community.” In the letter, Shih, who is also an Associate Professor at the University of Washington, illustrated how their collaboration, dating back in 2010, began to raise autism awareness both in Bangladesh and on the world stage. “I also had the honour to support her visionary effort on the development of South Asia Autism Network that culminated in a historical international conference that took place in Dhaka,” he wrote.

“In addition to dramatically enhancing autism awareness at the leadership level in several South Asian countries, it also laid out the groundwork for a second UN resolution on autism, addressing the social economic needs of our families, that was proposed by the Republic of Bangladesh and endorsed by the General Assembly in 2012,” recounted Shih. “Taking advantage of the momentum from the second UN resolution, Saima advocated vigorously and tirelessly, including in person in Geneva, for a subsequent World Health Assembly resolution on ‘Comprehensive and Coordinated Efforts for the Management of Autism Spectrum Disorders’ that was passed in 2014,” he added.

“Her decades in the field, working side by side with autistic people and others with developmental disabilities and mental health challenges, have given her insights and a lived experience rare among public health officials,” Shih wrote. “Many friends and families from Southeast Asia consider Saima a member of the family and embrace her leadership to transform their lives and the future of their children,” he noted. “In view of all the above extraordinary qualities, I support without any reservation, Ms. Saima Wazed, as the next WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia Region,” Shih wrote.

The testimonial comes days after several distinguished public health experts, notably former World Health Organization (WHO) officials from South Asian countries and celebrated researchers, reacted optimistically after the announcement of Saima Wazed’s nomination. This acclamation and support arrive in the face of a smear campaign run by a certain section over her nomination. The SEARO is one of the six regions of WHO with its headquarters in New Delhi, India. The unit comprises 11 countries — India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Timor Leste, and South Korea, which elect the RD.