Desk Report:
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has ordered those concerned to take effective initiatives to protect the rights of people with special needs and ensure necessary services for them. With the aim of building an inclusive society, he stressed the importance of ensuring special needs-friendly infrastructure development, education, medical care and other facilities.
He gave these instructions at a meeting held at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Wednesday (13 May 2026) to determine what to do to protect the rights of people with special needs and ensure services.
The Prime Minister said that the dignity and capabilities of people with special needs must be properly assessed at every level of society. Such practical steps must be taken so that they can actively participate in all activities of society and the state.
In the meeting, state ministers of various ministries highlighted various problems, limitations and inadequate facilities of people with special needs. At this time, the Prime Minister gave several important instructions.
She said that the building construction policy should ensure infrastructure and toilet facilities suitable for people with special needs in all government and private establishments, including hospitals and restaurants. She also ordered that the doors of the rooms be constructed in such a way that wheelchair users can easily enter.
The Prime Minister also ordered that the electric buses planned for women be equipped with necessary facilities for people with special needs. At the same time, she emphasized the importance of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on awareness-raising activities and organizing various programs for people with special needs.
She also ordered that schools for children with special needs operating across the country be inspected to see whether they are operating properly. The Prime Minister also said that children with special needs should be included in the ‘New Bud Sports’ competition.
It was decided in the meeting that initially, the ‘Shishu Swarg’ project will be launched in 10 upazilas of 10 districts of the country to ensure health and rehabilitation services for children with special needs. It was also informed that this program will start soon.
The meeting was attended by the State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, the State Minister for Health and Family Welfare, the State Minister for Information and Broadcasting, the State Minister for Social Welfare, the State Minister for Planning, the State Minister for Primary and Mass Education, and senior officials of the relevant ministries.
