The government has finalised a major nationwide project to bring children with disabilities in both urban and rural areas under the country's public healthcare system, State Minister for Health Dr M A Muhit has announced.
He said the initiative, prepared by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), aims to expand specialised healthcare services for children with disabilities to the upazila level across Bangladesh.
The state minister also said the proposed 2026-27 national budget, expected to be passed on 30 June, includes dedicated financial allocations for people with disabilities as well as programmes for disability detection and prevention.
Dr Muhit made the remarks on Saturday while inaugurating the CSF Centre in Korail slum in Dhaka. The centre has been launched under the theme, "Disability Detection, Rehabilitation and Inclusive Healthcare for Every Child's Potential."
He said the government is introducing structural reforms to ensure that every child with disabilities has access to quality healthcare, education and rehabilitation services regardless of where they live.
"The Directorate General of Health Services has already completed the design of an integrated project to ensure that every child with special needs—whether living in cities, towns or remote villages—comes under government healthcare services," he said.
"The programme will be implemented in every upazila across the country."
The state minister said the upcoming national budget contains specific allocations aimed at improving services for persons with disabilities and reducing the incidence of preventable disabilities.
He described the current administration as a "humanitarian government" committed to ensuring equal rights and opportunities for people with disabilities through policy reforms, budgetary support and institutional changes.
"Our understanding of development should go beyond constructing buildings or increasing wealth. True development means ensuring human dignity and equal opportunities for every citizen, especially those with disabilities," he said.
Dr Muhit said the government is also working with the Ministry of Education to promote inclusive education for children with disabilities.
Teachers at district and upazila-level educational institutions will receive specialised training to better support students with special needs, while schools will be upgraded to create disability-friendly learning environments. The initiative aims to ensure that children with disabilities can study alongside their peers with equal dignity and access to educational opportunities.
Public healthcare for underprivileged children
Referring to disadvantaged children living in Korail, the state minister said the "Shishu Swarga" (Children's Paradise) programme, inaugurated in the settlement by Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of the Prime Minister, will continue throughout the year.
He added that specialist doctors from leading hospitals and medical institutes across Bangladesh will regularly provide healthcare services to underprivileged children through the CSF Centre. Among those who addressed the inaugural ceremony were Professor Dr Jalal Uddin Muhammad Rumi, Director of the Directorate General of Health Services; Brigadier General Imrul Kayes Chowdhury, Chief Health Officer of Dhaka North City Corporation; and Abu Isa Mohammad Moin Uddin, General Secretary of the CSF Centre.
