Saima Wazed stresses on regulatory body for autism

Saima Wazed Hossain, Chairperson of Bangladesh National Advisory Committee for Autism and Neuro developmental Disorders, stressed on the need for constituting a regulatory organisation comprising physiotherapists and other professionals concerned for the children with autism.

"Like other health professionals, physiotherapists must be given the same importance on providing healthcare facilities," she said this on Friday while making her presentation at the inaugural function of a two-day international conference of rehabilitation professionals at Krishibid Institution of Bangladesh (KIB) in the capital.

Bangladesh Physiotherapy Association (BPA) organised the conference with the theme of 'Ensuring of Concerted Rehabilitation for Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)', a press release said.

Health Minister Mohammed Nasim and BPA Advisor and Founder of Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralisyed Valerie Ann Taylor, among others, spoke at the function with BPA President Dr Nasirul Islam in the chair.

Saima Wazed said physiotherapists and rehabilitation professionals are neglected in the country and common people have no clear idea about them.

"We've to understand rehabilitation services. We must know people's physical behaviors, words and mental health," she said.

Noting that dynamism must be brought in the daily activities of the people with disabilities, Saima Wazed said: "Alongside their daily activities, we've to provide our cooperation to them for improving their mental health. It is the responsibility of all for ensuring their dignified life."

She urged the physiotherapists and rehabilitation professionals to conduct research on health sector aiming to generate knowledge for the development of this sector, as per BSS report.

Health Minister Nasim asked the authorities concerned to take steps to set up the College of Physiotherapists on a land the government gave to it.