Nepal is set to nominate Dr. Sangeeta Kaushal Mishra, an additional secretary at the Ministry of Health and Food Security, for the top position of Regional Director at the World Health Organization’s (WHO) South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO). The vacancy arose after the former Regional Director, Saima Wazed of Bangladesh, resigned from her post.
Mishra’s Nomination and Wazed’s Resignation
Dr. Mishra, who currently serves in the Ministry of Health and Food Security (renamed from Ministry of Health and Population on May 13, 2026), is being put forward by Nepal for the crucial leadership role. The position became available after Saima Wazed, who had been elected in 2023 and began her five-year term in early 2024, resigned on September 9, 2026. Wazed’s resignation came amidst an ongoing investigation into allegations of financial irregularities. The WHO had placed her on unpaid leave in July 2025.
The Election Process and Contenders
The WHO is preparing to issue a call for nominations on October 12, 2026, with elections scheduled for January 24, 2027. Nepal has already commenced diplomatic efforts, engaging with member states to garner support for Dr. Mishra’s candidacy. However, Nepal is not the only nation vying for the position. Bhutan, Maldives, and Sri Lanka are also reportedly preparing to field their own candidates. Out of the 11 member states in the WHO South-East Asia region, only 10 will be eligible to vote in this election, as Myanmar is excluded from the process due to United Nations sanctions imposed following a military coup in 2021.
Background of SEARO Leadership Contests
This is not the first time Nepal has participated in the SEARO Regional Director elections. In the 2023 election, Dr. Shambhu Acharya, a senior public health expert working at WHO headquarters, was Nepal’s candidate. He secured 2 votes, while Saima Wazed won with 8 votes. The current acting head of SEARO is Nilesh Buddha, who is managing affairs until a new Regional Director is appointed.
What’s Next and Unanswered Questions
Nepal’s government is actively lobbying member states for diplomatic support to ensure Dr. Mishra’s success. The formal announcement of the election timetable by the WHO remains uncertain. However, the official list of all candidates from other countries has not yet been released. The election for the Regional Director will be conducted through a secret ballot by the regional committee, with the executive board making the final appointment upon the regional committee’s endorsement.
