Pilot project for persons with disabilities launched in 22 upazilas: Muhit

State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr MA Muhit said on Saturday that the government has approved a pilot project in 22 upazilas to ensure the rights and improve healthcare services for children and persons with disabilities.
The initiative will gradually be expanded to all upazilas across the country, he said while addressing a discussion titled “Amra Korbo Joy (We Shall Overcome)” at the CSF Centre in Shahjadpur, marking World Cerebral Palsy Day, according to a press release.
Dr Muhit said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had directed that specialised healthcare and rehabilitation services for children with special needs should not remain confined to Shahjadpur but be made available nationwide.
The pilot project, undertaken by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare at the Prime Minister's initiative, received formal approval at a meeting two days ago, he added.
The state minister said two high-level national committees had been formed to protect the rights of persons with disabilities and eliminate discrimination against them. The Prime Minister chairs the policy-making steering committee, while Dr Muhit serves as its vice-chairman. He also chairs the Rights Implementation Committee, comprising secretaries from different ministries.
The committees have held four meetings over the past eight months, leading to coordinated initiatives by various ministries, he said.
For the first time, a 10-member all-party parliamentary caucus has also been formed to strengthen efforts to protect the rights of persons with disabilities and secure budgetary allocations for their welfare. Dr Muhit is its chairman.
He said the Ministry of Social Welfare had introduced special service programmes in 10 districts, while around four million people were currently receiving disability allowances, with plans to expand coverage.
The government has also introduced a 50 per cent fare concession for persons with disabilities on the metro rail and is working to extend similar concessions of up to 50 per cent on trains. Initiatives are also under way to create employment opportunities, including government jobs, he added.
“Persons with disabilities do not seek pity or sympathy; they want equal citizenship rights,” Dr Muhit said, stressing that ensuring their access to education, healthcare and employment was a fundamental responsibility of the state.
Teachers and officials of the CSF Centre, children with special needs, their guardians and senior local administration officials attended the programme. Earlier, the state minister joined an awareness rally in Shahjadpur and attended a cultural programme performed by children.