State Minister for Health Dr M A Muhith on Thursday said a nationwide database for children with disabilities will be developed to ensure integrated healthcare services, rehabilitation and long-term support for them across the country.

He made the remarks while speaking at the inauguration ceremony of ‘Shishu Shorgo Model’ programme at Korail slum in the capital.

Renowned cardiologist and Vice-President of Ziaur Rahman Foundation (ZRF) Dr Zubaida Rahman attended the event as the chief guest. The programme organised by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare was held at Korail slum ground in the afternoon.

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The programme began through integrated service delivery for children with disabilities living in Korail slum in Dhaka.

Explaining the programme’s implementation process, M A Muhith said the first phase would involve community-based case detection through trained volunteers.

“In the second phase, children will be registered and undergo systematic clinical and overall assessments. Based on those assessments, an individual care plan will be prepared for each child according to their specific needs,” he said.

He said the third phase would focus on interventions and therapies tailored to the individual care plans.

Muhith added that the fourth component would involve family-centred group rehabilitation, where children would receive therapy while mothers and caregivers would be trained on how to continue therapy sessions at home.

“Even on days when children cannot attend the centre, mothers will be able to continue therapy practices at home,” he said.

MA Muhith said the fifth component would include caregiver training, peer support and empowerment initiatives for families of children with disabilities.

“The sixth and most long-term component is community-level follow-up through volunteers, alongside referral linkages for education, social integration and rehabilitation,” he added.

He also said officials and field-level workers from the health, education and social welfare sectors would receive disability-friendly training to improve accessibility and inclusion within government services.

In addition, he said assistive devices such as wheelchairs and artificial limbs would be produced locally and distributed to children in need under the programme.

This is the first national-level initiative in Bangladesh aimed at providing integrated healthcare services for children with disabilities, with plans to expand the programme across the country in phases.

Among the distinguished guests at the event were UNICEF Acting Representative in Bangladesh Stanley Gwavuya, RAJUK Chairman Engineer Md Riazul Islam (Riju), Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan (Milton), and Prime Minister’s Assistant Personal Physician Dr ANM Monowarul Kadir (Bitu), among others.