On Thursday (20 August) at noon, the State Minister for Health and Family Welfare said these things at a meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Coordination and Implementation Committee on Disability Rights and Service Protection held in the conference room of the Ministry of Health. Social Welfare State Minister Farzana Sharmin MP was present as special guest.
The Health State Minister said that due to the coordinated initiatives of various ministries, several achievements have already been made. A 25 percent fare discount has been ensured for persons with disabilities in any class of Bangladesh Railway and in metro rail. In addition, instructions have been given to ensure disability-friendly infrastructure at all newly constructed stations. Discussion was held on making the entire journey—from buying tickets to boarding the vehicle and using toilets—seamless and accessible for persons with disabilities, not just access ramps.
In the field of education, emphasizing the participation of children with disabilities in the mainstream education system alongside specialized schools, Health State Minister Dr. Muht said the specialized schools under the Ministry of Social Welfare are being further organized so that children in remote areas also get educational opportunities. At the same time, through coordination with the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, general schools are also being made disability-friendly so that no child using a wheelchair is deprived of mainstream schools. Work is also underway to ensure necessary reforms in the curriculum, and the use of Braille and sign language.
Referring to the fact that the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has undertaken several disability-friendly projects in the new fiscal year's budget, the Health State Minister said the identification and healthcare program for children with disabilities in Korail slum in Dhaka has already been launched. In addition, under the 'Shishu Swarga' project in 22 upazilas of 22 districts, comprehensive medical services for children with disabilities and persons with disabilities will be ensured at upazila health complexes under the Ministry of Health.
In her speech as special guest at the meeting, Social Welfare State Minister Farzana Sharmin, emphasizing digital accessibility alongside physical infrastructure, said: In the age of information technology, accessibility for persons with disabilities is also being ensured on digital platforms. Every person with disabilities has some special talent or skill—utilizing that skill to build a humane and prosperous Bangladesh is the government's main goal. She called upon every ministry to work with utmost sincerity in this regard.
