Dhaka: Sharmeen Akhter, a visually impaired resident of Satkhira district, has finally achieved employment at the Essential Drugs Company Limited (EDCL), fulfilling a promise made by the Health and Family Welfare Minister during a visit to the Satkhira district hospital on July 26.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain officially handed over the appointment letter to Sharmeen Akhter at a ceremony held in the health ministry conference room. This significant event was attended by Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Health Affairs Dr. SM Ziauddin Hyder and Dr. Pravath Chandra Biswas, the director general of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Expressing her gratitude, Sharmeen, who holds both graduate and postgraduate degrees from the government and politics department of Jahangirnagar University, thanked Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the health minister. She will assume her role as a 'junior officer' at EDCL on August 2. Sharmeen had previously reached out to the health minister during his hospital visit to request employment, highlighting her circumstances and the lack of employment in her family in Paschim Koikhali of Shyamnagar Upazila.
In a heartfelt statement to the media, Sharmeen expressed her appreciation, saying, "The health minister committed to providing me with a job after understanding my situation, and he delivered on his promise swiftly. This opportunity allows me to support my family, and I am sincerely grateful to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the health minister."
The health minister reiterated his commitment, stating, "She [Sharmeen Akhter] is very helpless. Her family has no employed person, and she had completed higher education. I have committed to providing her with a job, and she got a job at EDCL." He further mentioned that her employment would be confirmed following a successful six-month probationary period.
Dr. SM Ziauddin Hyder emphasized that this employment aligns with the electoral pledges of the current government, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, which aims to ensure rehabilitation and suitable job placements for individuals with disabilities.