State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr M A Muhit spoke on disability services coordination initiatives while briefing Health Ministry. Photo : Collected

DHAKA, July 2, 2026 (BSS) - State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr M A Muhit today said the government has taken coordinated initiatives involving all ministries to ensure services and long-term rehabilitation for persons with disabilities in the country.

He made the remarks while speaking to journalists after a follow-up meeting of the Committee on Rights and Service Delivery for Persons with Disabilities at the Ministry of Health here this afternoon. 

The state minister said 500 upazila health complexes and educational institutions across the country are being made disability-friendly. 

He added that individual "separate files" will be opened for person with disabilities to ensure their long-term rehabilitation.

He also said that wheelchair users will be able to board electric vehicles easily as the government plans to introduce EV buses in major cities with accessibility features. 

Special training for teachers is also being planned to bring children with disabilities back to school.

Dr Muhit said the policy-level steering committee of the initiative is headed by the Prime Minister, while the Principal Secretary acts as the member secretary.

He further said a special programme titled "Shishu Swarga" has already been launched in the Karail slum in Dhaka to ensure healthcare services for children with disabilities. 

The initiative, which provides healthcare to around 1,000 children, will be expanded to 20 to 25 upazilas in the current fiscal year for early detection, referral and treatment services.

The state minister said identification of children with special needs from the field level will be followed by opening individual files containing their specific requirements to ensure rehabilitation, employment and other rights through relevant ministries.

He said all new infrastructure projects, including 500 upazila health complexes and educational institutions, must include ramps, lifts and at least one special toilet to ensure accessibility. 

Compliance with disability-friendly standards will be strictly reviewed during project evaluation, he added.

He also said special arrangements are being made to include children with disabilities in sports through a dedicated segment in the "Notun Kuri Sports" programme, while successful athletes with disabilities in Special Olympics and Paralympics have already been awarded financial assistance of Taka 100,000 each.

State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin said ensuring rights of persons with disabilities is not charity but a matter of social contract, adding that the government is working to establish a unified "one-stop service centre" for health, education, training and marketing support.
Officials concerned from various ministries, including the Health Secretary and Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services, were present at the meeting.