Dhaka: State Minister for Health Dr. M A Muhith announced on Thursday that a nationwide database for children with disabilities will be developed to ensure integrated healthcare services, rehabilitation, and long-term support for them across the country. He made these remarks during the inauguration ceremony of the 'Shishu Shorgo Model' programme at Korail slum in the capital.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, a renowned cardiologist and Vice-President of Ziaur Rahman Foundation (ZRF), attended the event as the chief guest. The programme, organized by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, was held at Korail slum ground in the afternoon, marking the commencement of integrated service delivery for children with disabilities residing in Korail slum in Dhaka.
Dr. M A Muhith elaborated on the implementation process, indicating that the first phase involves community-based case detection through trained volunteers. "In the second phase, children will be registered and undergo systematic clinical and overall assessments. Based on those assessments, an individual care plan will be prepared for each child according to their specific needs," he stated. The third phase will focus on interventions and therapies tailored to these individual care plans.
The fourth component of the programme will involve family-centred group rehabilitation, whereby children will receive therapy, and mothers and caregivers will be taught how to continue therapy sessions at home. "Even on days when children cannot attend the centre, mothers will be able to continue therapy practices at home," Muhith added.
Further detailing the programme, Muhith explained that the fifth component includes caregiver training, peer support, and empowerment initiatives for families of children with disabilities. The sixth and most long-term component is community-level follow-up through volunteers, alongside referral linkages for education, social integration, and rehabilitation.
Moreover, officials and field-level workers from the health, education, and social welfare sectors will receive disability-friendly training to enhance accessibility and inclusion within government services. The programme also includes local production and distribution of assistive devices such as wheelchairs and artificial limbs for children in need.
This initiative marks the first national-level effort in Bangladesh aimed at providing integrated healthcare services for children with disabilities, with plans to expand the programme nationwide in phases. Distinguished guests at the event included UNICEF Acting Representative in Bangladesh Stanley Gwavuya, RAJUK Chairman Engineer Md Riazul Islam (Riju), Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan (Milton), and Prime Minister's Assistant Personal Physician Dr ANM Monowarul Kadir (Bitu), among others.