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A great achievement for the country

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Published: 17:00, 4 April 2017   Update: 15:18, 26 July 2020
A great achievement for the country

Saima Wazed Hossain, the daughter of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina achieved international recognition for her role to save autistic children. She has been designated as ‘WHO Champion for Autism’ in South-East Asia Region on April 1.

There is no doubt that the recognition from World Health Organization (WHO) has uplifted the image of the country.

WHO Regional Director Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh said, “Her support as Regional Champion is expected to garner momentum for awareness and action in member countries, as much remains to be done for autism in across the Region”.

Highlighting contribution of Saima Wazed, Poonam Khetrapal said, “Saima Wazed Hossain's dedicated and unprecedented efforts have put autism high on the health agenda in her country Bangladesh, and helped get substantial regional and global attention to autism spectrum disorder and other mental and neurodevelopmental disorders”.

Saima Wazed started her work on autism and neurodevelopmental disorders in 2008. Within a short period of time, her work was appreciated across the world. She organized the first South Asian conference on Autism in 2011 in Dhaka. From then a network was formed on South Asian Autism.

WHO also awarded her in September 2014 with 'Excellence in Public Health Award'. Besides, she worked as a research assistant at US based research organization Autism Speaks. She is a member of WHO's global expert advisory panel on mental health.  

Dr Poonam Khetrapal said, Bangladesh started first working on autism in South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO) countries. Saima Wazed is a pioneer in this sector. Bangladesh government included 'spectrum disorder and other mental and neurodevelopmental disorders' in health sector due to her initiative. The government established a Neurodevelopment and autism unit.

From now, as a 'WHO Champion for Autism’, Saima Wazed will try to create awareness in SEARO countries. She will make national policy with the governments of those countries over autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and will play an important role this sector.

Saima achieved the award due to her own qualification and talent. Congratulation to Saima Wazed. Her international recognition is a great achievement for Bangladesh. The success will uplift the image of Bangladesh brightly.


risingbd/Dhaka/Apr 4, 2017/Ali Nowsher/Nasim

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