Govt allocates funds to improve disability care, identification

The government has formulated a special nationwide project to bring children with special needs in both rural and urban areas under comprehensive public healthcare services, State Minister for Health Dr MA Muhit said on Saturday.

Speaking at the inauguration of the service activities of the “CSF Center” at Karail Slum in the capital, the minister said the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has prepared a major integrated project to provide healthcare services for children with special needs at the upazila level.

He said the initiative is designed to ensure that every special child, whether living in cities or remote villages, comes under direct government healthcare coverage.

As part of the programme, specialised services will be introduced in every upazila across the country.
Dr Muhit also said the national budget, scheduled to be passed on June 30, includes specific allocations for persons with disabilities, alongside measures for disability identification and reduction.

The CSF Center officially launched its activities under the theme, “Disability identification, rehabilitation and inclusive healthcare for the development of every child’s potential.”

Highlighting the government’s broader inclusion agenda, the state minister said significant policy, budgetary and administrative reforms have been introduced to ensure equal rights for all marginalised communities.

He stressed that children affected by congenital and other diseases should not be left behind and must be integrated into mainstream society through education, employment and normal social life. He added that structural reforms are being introduced to achieve this objective.

Dr Muhit also said the Ministry of Education is implementing long-term initiatives to ensure equal educational opportunities for children with special needs. These include advanced training for teachers and making school infrastructure more accessible.

Referring to children living in Karail Slum, he said the “Shishu Swarga” programme, inaugurated earlier by the Prime Minister’s spouse Dr Zubaida Rahman, will continue throughout the year. He added that specialist doctors from leading medical institutions will regularly provide healthcare services for underprivileged children at the CSF Center.

Among others, Director of the DGHS Prof. Dr. Jalal Uddin Muhammad Rumi, Chief Health Officer of Dhaka North City Corporation Brigadier General Imrul Kayes Chowdhury and Secretary General of the CSF Center Abu Isa Mohammad Moin Uddin also addressed the programme.