DHAKA, Aug 13, V7N — State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin today said Shishu Swarga will be established gradually in every district across the country to ensure safe, dignified and integrated services for children of special needs.
She said the centres would provide healthcare, education, therapy, rehabilitation, accommodation, skill development and future employment opportunities under one roof.
The state minister made the remarks in an interview with Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) at the Secretariat here.
She said many children with disabilities are deprived of timely medical treatment, special education and rehabilitation services, hindering the development of their potential. Against this backdrop, the government has undertaken the initiative to establish integrated service centres, named 'Shishu Swarga'.
"Children of special needs are not a burden of the society, they are our assets. If we can ensure proper care, education and training, they too can play important role in development. That is why there is a plan to establish Shishu Swarga in every district," she said.
The state minister said the project would be implemented jointly by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Social Welfare.
The Health Ministry would be responsible for initial health screening, disability identification and preparation of treatment plans, while the Ministry of Social Welfare would oversee long-term rehabilitation, education, therapy, training and social inclusion programmes.
Farzana Sharmin said many families currently face social and economic difficulties in raising children with special needs. A lack of specialized doctors, speech therapists, occupational therapists and special educators often prevents children from receiving the services they need. The new initiative would gradually address these limitations, she said.
The state minister said, treatment alone is not enough for the development of a child with autism or a disability. Education, mental development, social acceptance and future employment are equally important. Shishu Swarga will address all the issues in an integrated manner.
She said individual service plans would be prepared according to each child's age and needs. The centres would provide regular health check-ups, physiotherapy, speech therapy, psychosocial counseling, special education and training for parents
"Not only the children, but their parents also need to be made aware and equipped with the necessary skills. No rehabilitation programme can succeed without family support. Therefore, Shishu Swarga will provide regular training and counseling for parents," she said.
The state minister said the government does not want to limit support for people with disabilities to allowances. Rather, its long-term goal is to create employment opportunities by enhancing their skills.
"We want children with disabilities to grow up as self-reliant citizens. For this, they will receive appropriate education, technological skills and practical training from an early age," she said.
She said the government is working in coordination with various public and private organisations to expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Assistance would also be provided to market products made by those engaged in handicrafts and other forms of production.
"Our objective is not to create a charity-dependent society; rather, we want to build a society where people with disabilities can establish themselves with dignity through their own abilities," Sharmin said.
"Allowances are important, but even more important is making a person self-reliant," she said.
She added that the government is also prioritizing proper implementation of laws and policies to ensure the rights of children with disabilities.
During the interview, Sharmin said social stigma and a lack of awareness often isolate families of children with disabilities from society. The establishment of Shishu Swarga would not only provide services but also help promote a positive attitude towards disability in society, she said.
"We want people to view disability not with pity, but from the perspective of humanity and rights. Every child in the society has the right to equal dignity and opportunities," she said.
She said the centres would also offer technology-based educational materials, sports, cultural activities and creative training so that the children could learn in a joyful environment and develop self-confidence.
She further said the government is giving due consideration to ensure that families in remote areas could easily access these services. The establishment of district-level centres in phases would reduce dependence on Dhaka-centric services and allow people to receive necessary assistance in their own districts.
Farzana Sharmin said the government wanted to develop an effective service system by strengthening coordination among the health, social welfare, education and local government sectors as well as non-governmental sectors.
"We want to build a Bangladesh where no child with a disability will be neglected. Every child will have the opportunity to develop their talents and live a life of dignity," she said.
The state minister said the Shishu Swarga project is not merely an initiative to construct infrastructure; rather, it is a programme aimed at building a humane, inclusive and sustainable future for children with disabilities.
