Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday directed the authorities concerned to take effective measures to protect the rights of persons with disabilities and ensure necessary services for them across the country.

He also stressed the importance of building disability-friendly infrastructure and ensuring equal access to education, healthcare and other essential services as part of efforts to create an inclusive society.

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The directives came at a meeting held at the Cabinet Division conference room at the Bangladesh Secretariat to discuss measures for protecting the rights and ensuring services for persons with disabilities, said a release issued by the Prime Minister’s Press Wing.

The Prime Minister said people with special needs must be given proper dignity and their capabilities should be duly recognised at every level of society. “Practical steps must be taken so that they can actively participate in all activities of society and the state,” he said.

During the meeting, state ministers from different ministries highlighted various challenges, limitations and inadequate facilities faced by persons with disabilities.

The Prime Minister also instructed authorities to ensure disability-friendly infrastructure and toilet facilities in all government and private establishments, including hospitals and restaurants, under the building construction policy.

He said doors of rooms should be designed in a way that allows easy access for wheelchair users.

Tarique Rahman also directed that the planned electric buses for women should include necessary facilities for persons with disabilities.

He asked the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to strengthen awareness campaigns and arrange programmes focusing on persons with disabilities.

The Prime Minister asked the authorities to examine whether schools for children with disabilities across the country are functioning properly.

He suggested including children with special needs in the “Notun Kuri Sports” competition as well.

The meeting decided to launch the “Shishu Swarga” project initially in 10 upazilas across 10 districts to ensure healthcare and rehabilitation services for children with special needs.

Officials said the programme will be launched soon.

State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam, State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr MA Muhit, State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Choudhury, State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin Putul, State Minister for Planning Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister ABM Abdus Sattar and secretaries of the relevant ministries attended the meeting.

Founder of the Bangladesh Protibondhi Kallyan Somity Abdus Sattar Dulal also joined the meeting.