NEW YORK: Saima Wazed Hossain, daughter of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has expressed hope that every family in Bangladesh would get equal support for ensuring sustainable development in the country.

She also hoped that like others, mentally and physically challenged people also will stand uprightly in family and society by receiving equal support and cooperation.

Saima Wazed was sharing her visions with banglanews24.com in an interview after attending a seminar at UN Headquarters in New York on the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Regarding political uncertainty in Bangladesh, Saima said political crisis can exist in a country but it should not create hindrances to development works.

She added: “The development, like mental health, is not a political issue and this is why, no negative implication of politics on the issue is expected.”

According to her, the development works should also be kept out of the political influence.

Saima further said though her mother was the president of a political party, people presented her in her own identity.

Mentioning that 80 percent of the challenged people in South Asia suffer from mental health problems, she said Bangladesh has a policy about mental health, which has to be implemented adding that UN also considers the matter with care to evaluate the achievements of MDG.

She also said the approach or methodology that Bangladesh has been adopting is unique, innovative and effective and exemplary.

Saima Wazaed: “We want a multi-sectoral model with partnership, assistance and integration of policy makers, government, NGOs, family and specialists.”

She also told banglanews that she was interested to work with specially abled people from the outset.

Saima already has made a mark in the world with her mission to win over autism. The United Nations (UN) also has accepted one of her proposals in this regard.

BDST: 1635 HRS, DEC 04, 2014