Protecting the rights of the disabled is everyone's duty: HPM Sheikh Hasina

She said disabled persons are not burden of the society. Once the society and family had a serious reservation about them, but, the situation has changed and people consider them as a part of the society.

"So the disabled persons should not be ignored, rather we should be sensitive and sympathetic about their rights and welfare," she said.

The Prime Minister was addressing a function marking the "24th International and 17th National Day for the Persons with Disabilities" at Bangabandhu International Conference Center here on Thursday.

Sheikh Hasina said in an independent state every people including the persons with disabilities should live with their rights. The size of disabled persons is not small. "So Bangladesh has joined with the UN to observe the day considering the welfare of the huge number of people," she said.

Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith attended the function as special guest while chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Welfare Ministry Dr Mozammel Hossain was in the chair.

President of National Forum of Disabled Persons Saiful Haq and secretary of the Social Welfare Ministry Tariqul Islam, spoke, among others, on the occasion.

The prime minister said the UN has rightly incorporated the issue of the disabled persons in the SDGs so that none is lagged behind from the inclusive development programmes taken for next 15 years. Bangladesh is also careful about this, she said.

"So 'inclusiveness' has been kept in the core of this year's theme of the 'Day for the Persons with Disabilities' to ensure empowerment of every disabled person based on their capacity," the prime minister said.

The prime minister said her government wants to flourish the inherent talent and spirit of the disabled persons, involving them in the mainstream of the national activities. "The present government is making efforts to this end," she said.

The prime minister urged the wealthy persons to come forward for protection of the disabled people.

The prime minister recalled the efforts of her daughter Saima Hossain at home and abroad for creating awareness in people about autism saying people are now aware about this issue.

At Saima's initiative, the UN has adopted a resolution initiated by Bangladesh on the autism issue and it will bring benefit for people of the world, she said.

The prime minister said a database of disabled persons is being prepared. Identity card is being provided to every disabled persons to ensure their every rights as a citizen.

She said the government has enacted laws and necessary rules for protection of the rights of disabled persons and a trust to give them support. "Preparation of a database of the disabled persons up to rural areas is underway," she said.

The prime minister announced increasing the amount of the allowance given to around six lakh disabled persons across the country. "Sixty thousand disabled children get scholarships for their studies," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said the government has already established 103 centers for giving service to the disabled persons. Besides, 20 mobile vans were procured for giving basic medical services to the disabled persons. Fourteen more vans will be added to the fleet soon, she said.

She said the government would take steps for more research on disability issues at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU). "The government is also proceeding with a project for establishment of a complex for expansion of the activities of the national foundation for disabled persons," she said.

Highlighting the success of the disabled persons in the sports, the prime minister said a sports training center for them would be constructed on the site of 'Deaf and Dumb School' on the Sangsad Bhaban premises.

The prime minister said her government has been making constant efforts for welfare of every section of people including those who are suffering from disabilities. "Business people, corporate sector, private organizations can supplement the government efforts by creating scopes for disabled persons to flourish their merit," she said.

On the occasion the prime minister inaugurated the mobile therapy van equipped with various medical equipment which will move across the country to provide services to the disabled persons.

Sheikh Hasina also visited the display site of the artworks of the disabled children and distributed ID cards among some of the physically challenged persons.

Later, the prime minister enjoyed a cultural programmes presented by the children suffering from disabilities.