All disabilities children will bring under healthcare services: State Minister for Health
State Minister for Health Dr. M. A. Muhit has announced that all children with disabilities, both in rural and urban areas, will be brought under government healthcare services.
He said that a special project has been developed for children with disabilities, and the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has prepared a comprehensive initiative in this regard.
The upcoming national budget, scheduled to be passed on June 30, includes specific financial allocations for persons with disabilities as well as for disability identification and prevention.
The State Minister made these remarks as the chief guest while inaugurating the healthcare services of the CSF Center in Korail slum, Dhaka, on Saturday (June 27).
The center officially began its operations under the theme: "Disability Identification, Rehabilitation, and Inclusive Healthcare for the Development of Every Child's Potential."
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Muhit said that true progress lies in ensuring the humane development and equal rights of every marginalized individual in society. He emphasized that the government has fundamentally reformed its policymaking, budgeting, and administrative systems to guarantee equal rights for persons with disabilities, placing them on par with all other citizens.
He noted that development is often measured by wealth or the construction of large buildings. However, he stressed that physical infrastructure alone cannot bring genuine social or human development.
"If we truly want to become a developed society, we must show compassion toward those who face even the slightest physical or developmental challenges. Otherwise, we may build impressive structures, but we will fail to achieve meaningful social transformation."
Describing the current administration as a highly humanitarian government, the State Minister said that permanent structural changes are being introduced to ensure that children born with congenital illnesses or disabilities are not neglected. Instead, they should be integrated into mainstream society with access to education, employment, and a normal life.
He reiterated that the upcoming national budget includes dedicated financial allocations aimed at supporting persons with disabilities and strengthening disability identification and prevention programs.
Speaking about expanding healthcare services to people with disabilities at the grassroots level, Dr. Muhit said that the Directorate General of Health Services has already completed the design of an integrated project.
Its primary objective is to ensure that every child with special needs—whether living in cities, urban centers, or remote rural communities—receives direct access to government healthcare services. Under this initiative, specialized programs will be implemented in every upazila across the country.
In addition to healthcare, the government is also working to ensure equal educational opportunities for children with disabilities. The Ministry of Education has undertaken long-term initiatives to enable children with special needs to study alongside their peers in mainstream educational institutions at the district and upazila levels.
Teachers will receive advanced training to better support inclusive education, while schools will be upgraded with disability-friendly infrastructure and learning environments.
Among others who addressed the event were Professor Dr. Jalal Uddin Muhammad Rumi, Director (Administration) of the Directorate General of Health Services; Brigadier General Imrul Kayes Chowdhury, Chief Health Officer of the Dhaka North City Corporation; and Abu Isa Mohammad Moeen Uddin, General Secretary of the CSF Center.