Autism conference ends with high hopes
Autism expert Saima Wazed Hossain, also daughter of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, speaks at an international conference on autism held at Ruposhi Bangla Hotel in the city yesterday. Photo: PMO
The landmark autism conference ended in the city yesterday as its chief architect, Saima Wazed Hossain, hoped that the two-day meet would generate new hopes among the families with autistic children in and outside the country. "Now is the time to create greater awareness, acceptance, and understanding of autism spectrum disorders and mental health conditions in South Asia", she said in the concluding session at Ruposhi Bangla Hotel in the city. Nearly 370 participants from home and abroad took part in the conference as India's ruling Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi opened it Monday. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addressed the conference. A number of other high-profile dignitaries including Sri Lankan First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, Maldives' vice-president's wife Ilham Hussain, and health ministers from Indonesia and Bhutan attended the conference to be followed by a three-day training workshop for parents of autistic children, psychologists, and physicians. The conference that drew a huge attention from highest levels of politics in Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and some other countries in South and Southeast Asia also got promise from World Health Organisation (WHO). "We will do everything we can -- starting from system development to technical assistance to fellowship for autism managers", said Quazi Monirul Islam, insisting that the WHO was committed to making it happen. Representatives from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Indonesia spoke high about the conference and promised anew to spearhead the cause of disability in their respective countries. "Let's lay the foundations for a South Asian Autism Network (SAAN) from the Dhaka conference", Saima said, hoping that the proposed network would develop international collaborations through high levels of political and social network. The US-licensed school psychologist, Saima said as countries in South Asia share identical language, culture and heritage, these countries together can make a big difference in identifying solutions to disability, with autism. Prof Naila Zaman Khan of Dhaka Shishu Hospital on the sidelines of the conference said it's time for philanthropists and the rich to come forward. Bhutanese delegate Phintsho Choden, Myanmar's Dr Kyaw Linn, and India's Alok Ghuha spoke in the conference among others.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments