DHAKA: Prime Minster Sheikh Hasina, also ruling Awami League president, on Thursday said her government would lend all out cooperation to help the autism victims.

“I have come here to express my solidarity. The incumbent government will lend all out support in ensuring better life of the people who are suffering from autism,” she said.

The premier came up with the assertion while addressing a program of regional meeting of health ministers organized by World Health Organization (WHO) at a city hotel.

Sheikh Hasina told her audience that she wants the people with autism should be taken care of all over the world.

The PM also expressed her solidarity to the decision taken in the meeting.

She said a work-plan has been designed under nine ministries of the government for the betterment of the autistic victims.

The required money will be allocated in this regard, she added.

The PM also said that social welfare ministry and National Disable Development Foundation have jointly introduced Autism Resource Center in 2010.

The Foundation, with the cooperation of World Bank, is implementing the projects, she added.

Sheikh Hasina also mentioned that some 3,000 guardians were trained in the workshops at the seven divisional headquarters.

She also said that National Disable Development Foundation has already started free schools for autistic children.

Besides, several initiatives were taken for nursing of cerebral palsy children, foster family service, teletherapy, recognition of disability survey, registration and providing identity cards, she added.

Sheikh Hasina further said that at least 30 percent of autism patients will be served at free of cost at Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Memorial KPJ Specialized Hospital in Gazipur.

Special measures will also be taken for ensuring education, employment and communication for the autistic people, she added.

She hoped that all the autistic people of the world will pass their life happily and confidently.

Saima Hossain, the chair of the National Advisory Committee on Neuro Developmental Disorders and Autism under the health and family welfare ministry and also daughter of Sheikh Hasina, among others, spoke at the event.

Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, WHO South-East Asia Region the regional director, conducted the program where health ministers of South-East Asian countries and foreign diplomats were present.

** Saima gets WHO Award 

BDST: 1645 HRS, SEP 11, 2014