BRAC James P Grant School holds workshop on Inclusive Health Services for Persons with Disabilities

BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health (JPGSPH), BRAC University has organized a policy dialogue workshop on Inclusive Health Services for Persons with Disabilities in Bangladesh on Tuesday with a view to discussing the Challenges and Prospects in this regard. 

The objectives of the policy dialogue was to share some of the findings from a nationwide study conducted by BRAC JPGSPH, BRAC University on the current situation of inclusive healthcare services for persons with disabilities in Bangladesh, said a press release.

The discussants also highlighted the challenges in implementing policies and action plans related to inclusive health services and recommend strategies to improve the situation. 

Professor Dr Mohammod Golam Rabbani, Chairperson, Neuro-Developmental Protibondhi Shurakkha Trustee Board, Ministry of Social Welfare attended the policy dialogue as chief guest while Paula Schindeler, Deputy Head of Mission/Head of Development Cooperation, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh, took part in the event as special guest. 

Dr Sabina Faiz Rashid, Dean and Professor, BRAC JPGSPH, BRAC University gave her welcome speech on this occasion. 

Dr Adrita Kaiser, Assistant Coordinator, BRAC JPGSPH, BRAC University shared the findings of the study funded by the Royal Embassy of Netherlands, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The discussants - Dr Md Rizwanul Karim Shameem, Associate Professor, Department of  Community Medicine, Rajshahi Medical College and Former Program Manager (Mental Health & Disability), Non-Communicable Diseases Control, Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare; Dr NurunNahar Begum, Deputy Director & Program Manager, Directorate General of Family Planning, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare; Mr Shafiq-Ul-Islam, Executive Director, Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP) - went through the study findings. 

Mushfiqua Zaman Satiar, Senior Policy Adviser, SRHR and Gender, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh, was also present in the workshop while Dr Mushtaque Raza Chowdhury, Trustee BRAC University and Founding Dean of BRAC JPGSPH, BRAC University delivered closing remarks. 

The research team expects this policy dialogue to contribute as a stepping stone in drafting important policy briefs which will then be proposed to the relevant authorities, e. g., Ministry of Social Welfare and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.