Autism victims must also be involved in the implementation of Vision 2041: PM



News Desk, Barta24.com
Autism victims must also be involved in the implementation of Vision 2041: PM

Autism victims must also be involved in the implementation of Vision 2041: PM

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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, our goal is to build a developed and prosperous Smart Bangladesh by 2041. In the implementation of Vision 2041, people with autism and disabilities should be included. To this end, she urged the Neuro-Developmental Disability (NDD) Protection Trust to implement more technology-friendly activities.

She said, "I believe, if children and adolescents with autism characteristics are identified and developed in a humane environment with proper care, education, training and love, they will also become assets of the family, society and the state."

In a message given on Monday (April 1) on the occasion of World Autism Awareness Day-2024, the Prime Minister said, I am happy to know that the 17th 'World Autism Awareness Day-2024' is being observed in Bangladesh like other countries of the world. On this occasion, I extend my sincere greetings to all children with autism characteristics, individuals and their family members, caregivers, autism researchers, teachers, doctors, therapists, inventors of assistive devices and related government and private organizations in Bangladesh and the world.

She said, "I think the theme of the day - 'Awareness-Recognition-Valuation: Journey from mere survival to prosperity' is very timely."

The Prime Minister said, 'Awami League government is autism and disabled friendly government. In the last 15 years, we have implemented comprehensive measures for the welfare of all persons with disabilities, including persons with autism. These include Neuro-Developmental Disabilities Protection Trust Act-2013, Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act-2013, Neuro-Developmental Disabilities (NDD) Protection Trust Rules-2015, Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Rules-2015, Bangladesh Rehabilitation Council Act-2018 and Disability Special Education Policy-2019. Our government has taken appropriate action plans for the successful implementation of these laws. In the light of the principle of 'development is not leaving anyone behind', we are implementing development programs for everyone in the society.

Sheikh Hasina said that under the NDD Protection Trust, the program of establishing 14 'Autism and NDD Seva Kendra' as a project in 14 places of the country in the current fiscal year (2023-24) is underway. Also, the program of establishing 8 'Medical, Education and Rehabilitation Centers' in 8 divisions of the country for children and persons with NDD characteristics is underway. The Trust is jointly implementing 'Bangabandhu Suraksha Bima' with General Insurance Corporation for health protection of NDD persons.

She said that our government has formulated 'National Strategy and Action Plan 2016-2030' to protect the rights of people with NDD disabilities. In the light of this action plan, NDD Suraksha Trust has launched a training program for parents and guardians for home based care and mental health care of children and individuals with autism. At the same time teachers have also been brought under training. NDD Suraksha Trust has developed two apps called 'Bolte Chai' for non-verbal communication and 'Smart Autism Barta' for early screening or detection of autism.

The Prime Minister wished for the overall success of all the programs undertaken on the occasion of '17th World Autism Awareness Day 2024'.

Three doctors are absent for a long time causing sufferings to the patients



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
Pic: Barta24.com

Pic: Barta24.com

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The government has taken various initiatives to ensure the presence of doctors and officials in government hospitals. However, a different picture is seen in Barishal's 50- bed Agailjhara Upazila Health Complex. Three doctors of the hospital have been absent for a long time. As a result, patients have to suffer due to lack of proper healthcare.

Allegedly, medical services at the hospital have come to a standstill due to lack of strict supervision. Therefore, many patients are forced to seek treatment in private hospitals.

According to hospital sources, Dr. Abu Bakar Siddique joined Agailjhara Upazila Health Complex as Medical Officer on July 1, 2011. He has been absent since January 4, 2012 after staying at the hospital for just five months. Similarly, Dr. Soma Halder joined the health complex on October 8, 2014. She has also been absent since November 5, 2015, after serving for one year.

Sources also said that Dr. Shahana Rahman joined the hospital on November 25, 2023. She has not been coming to the hospital for the past 8 months.

Although the three mentioned doctors are absent for a long time, no appointments are being made in their place. As a result, patient services are constantly disrupted. Besides, the hospital authorities are also in trouble.

A responsible source of the hospital, on condition of anonymity, said that this alarming situation has arisen due to the non-punishment of those who are negligent in fulfilling their duties. Also there is a lack of strong supervision.

Upazila Health Officer Dr. Bakhtiar Al Mamun said that Dr. Abu Bakr Siddiq and Dr. Soma Halder have been given letters to join the workplace several times. But they are still not back to work. A departmental case is ongoing against them. In addition, Dr. Shahana Rahman has been given several letters to join the work. The Civil Surgeon's office has also been informed about the matter.

He also said that the information of doctors is sent to higher authorities and ministries every month. As such, the ministry is aware of the matter. According to the latest information, one doctor may be out of a job. Of the remaining two, one is abroad, the other I don't know where. Regarding the appointment of doctors, he said, appointment is not possible until the posts are vacant. As a result, it will take time to find a new doctor.

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Three coordinators in DB for interrogation



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
Pic: Collected

Pic: Collected

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Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police has taken three people, including Nahid Islam, one of the coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement, into custody from Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital in the capital. The other two coordinators are Asif Mahmud and Abu Baker Majumdar.

A DB source confirmed this information on Friday (July 26) night.

DB said three coordinators have been brought to the DB office for security and interrogation purposes.

All three of them are students of Dhaka University.

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What the Home Minister said about lifting of the curfew



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
Pic: Collected

Pic: Collected

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Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said, everyone has to wait a little with the curfew till public life becomes normal. We are looking at whether the curfew can be relaxed.

He said these things while talking to reporters about the ongoing situation on Friday (July 26) night.

The Home Minister said, we are seeing if the curfew can be relaxed. Police BGB, Army are working. We have to wait a little until public life becomes normal. People should be patient. He also said that a decision may be made subject to discussion on Saturday (July 27).

At that time, he mentioned that there were brutal killings in the name of the movement, and he said, who will take responsibility for this loss of the country? BNP said they are not involved in violence. So who did it? It is a question of the people.

Regarding the arrest of the quota activists, the Home Minister said that the quota agitator leaders themselves are suffering from insecurity. For their safety, law enforcement has been called. Further action will be taken after the inquiry.

Incidentally, the government clamped a curfew from 12 midnight on July 19 to keep the situation normal around the quota reform movement. The army was also deployed.

The curfew was later relaxed for a specified period but has not yet been lifted completely.

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Government to provide treatment & income to all injured: Prime Minister



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
Photo: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

Photo: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that the government will provide treatment and income to all those injured in the recent violence, regardless of party affiliation.

She said this while visiting the injured at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Friday (July 26). Meanwhile, she inquired about the physical condition of the injured.

Sheikh Hasina said that the government will do whatever is necessary for the treatment of those injured in the violence. The government will take responsibility for the treatment of the injured, whichever party they belong to.

She also said, even after accepting all the demands on the quota, why is the movement not ending? Everyone at home and abroad should be vocal against the violence and brutality of BNP-Jamaat.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister visited several wards of Dhaka Medical College Hospital and inquired about the injured. She talked to doctors and nurses. She ordered to give all kinds of treatment to the injured.

Earlier in the morning, the head of government visited the Bangladesh Television (BTV) building damaged by vandals' attack and fire at Rampura in the capital.

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