People with disabilities will play a role in shaping the state and society: Dipu Moni



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
photo: Barta24

photo: Barta24

  • Font increase
  • Font Decrease

If given proper training, autistic children and individuals can play a role in family, society and state formation - Social Welfare Minister Dipu Moni said.

She said these things while speaking as the chief guest at an event organized on the occasion of 'World Autism Awareness Day-2024' at Bangabandhu International Conference Center on Tuesday (02 April) morning.

  The 17th World Autism Awareness Day-2024 was celebrated by the Ministry of Social Welfare and the Neuro Developmental Disabilities Protection Trust under the theme 'Awareness, Recognition, Valuation - Journey from Survival to Prosperity'.

In the speech of the chief guest, Dipu Moni said, awareness about autism should be spread. Children and individuals with autism can do many things. The government is always by their side and will be.

She said, we have to change our perspective about the disabled. In the overall development of the Prime Minister, it should be ensured that the autistic person does not lag behind. Awareness about autism should be spread. It should be ensured that they get the same rights and facilities as other citizens.

The minister also said that Prime Minister's daughter Saima Wazed is working tirelessly for the disabled in the country as well as internationally. With her efforts, autism awareness has increased in the whole world including Bangladesh.

Professor Dr. AFM Ruhul Haque MP was present as a special guest of the program. He saluted the efforts and activities of Saima Wazed on autism awareness and said that without Saima, people of Bangladesh would have less knowledge about autism. Saima's efforts have brought much success. Saima is guiding the Prime Minister with proper guidance on autism. Various government and private institutions including Neuro Developmental Impaired Protection Trust are working under the instructions of the Prime Minister. We have taken up 14 upazila based projects, it should be seen that the projects are managed properly. Autism awareness should be developed through collective efforts of all.

The function was presided over by the Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Mohammad Khairul Alam Sheikh. He said, the neglected, deprived and distressed and poor of the society should be in one place. Ministry of Social Welfare is working with all the poor people of the society. In 2011, an international conference on autism was held in Bangladesh. The government is working to give a better life to the disabled under the direction of the Prime Minister and the relentless efforts of Saima Wazed. Various laws and policies have been formulated for the disabled.

It was also addressed by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical Professor Dr. Pran Gopal Dutta and Managing Director of NDDP Mohammad Shah Alam and others.

At the end of the discussion, the blue lamp was lit in the ceremony to observe the World Autism Day and in the ceremony the autistic children and the organizations and individuals working on autism were awarded by the Minister of Social Welfare. In the second part of the program, children with autism presented an interesting cultural program. 

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



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
Pic: Barta24.com

Pic: Barta24.com

  • Font increase
  • Font Decrease

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.

;

Three coordinators in DB for interrogation



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
Pic: Collected

Pic: Collected

  • Font increase
  • Font Decrease

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.

;

What the Home Minister said about lifting of the curfew



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
Pic: Collected

Pic: Collected

  • Font increase
  • Font Decrease

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.

;

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



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

Photo: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

  • Font increase
  • Font Decrease

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.

;