A Message from Geri on Bangladesh
Dear all,
I thought you might enjoy seeing a few highlights from Andy Shih and Michael Rosanoff’s recent efforts in Bangladesh. This is a country where resources are very low, and there is a great need to protect the rights and improve the treatment of people with autism. Yet despite few resources, this country is stepping up to improve services for all people with autism in their country. Saima Wazed Hossain from Bangladesh remarked at a recent United Nations meeting that, if Bangladesh can tackle the challenges of autism, any country can. Indeed, it was Bangladesh that co-sponsored the UN conference that brought together leaders from many countries, the WHO, and key White House staff to focus on the needs of people with autism.
Andy and Michael, with the help of several experts from the US, are providing technical assistance and helping galvanize the Bangladesh government and other leaders to improve the lives of people with ASD. What is noteworthy is that this effort requires very little in terms of money from Autism Speaks but can have a transformational effect on an entire country.
All best,
Geri Dawson, Chief Science Officer
Autism Conference Ends with High Hopes
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 in and outside the country. Read more …
Call for quality healthcare for persons with autism
An international conference on Autism Spectrum Disorders and Development Disabilities in Bangladesh and South Asia adopted the “7-point Dhaka Declaration,” with a call for promoting stronger coordinated actions in the region and globally. Read more …
Autism Meeting Ends with ‘Great Response’
The two-day international conference on autism concluded on Tuesday with pledges from the World Health Organization to support Bangladesh in autism care. Read more …
Congratulation to Saima Hossain for her effort to tackle the challenges of autism in Bangladesh. I am a medical doctor & my 4 year old daughter diagnosed with ASD last year. We don’t have any service in Bangladesh now. My daughter is getting ABA in India. I hope I will see dramatic improvement in Bangladesh. May Allah gave Ms. Hossain a long life….
Just things to consider (1) Because of it’s high prevalence, no cure, no facility to manage and high demand, there are mushrooming of so called schools/management center. GOB should take immediate measure to regulate these activities, simultaneously establishing it’s own program, (2) Experiences shows that disease based high profile program is not sustainable in a long term ( which is necessary), mainstreaming with existing health & other system should be looked for, (3) Managing ASD should not be only the domain of Health ministry, it should be coordinated with other key ministries like ministry of Education, Social welfare etc.. In this case Experience of Global fund project management in Bangladesh can be looked for.
Lastly we should be very careful that such a good effort by Ms. Hossain should not be thrown away by others just because of political rivalry. “Community Clinic project” is an example.Regards…
Great Job Michael, Andy and Dana! I hope there will be tremendous amount of improvement in Bangladesh!
This is a very good step for Bangladesh to make the society aware of autism and to face the challenges.
Congratulations to Bangladesh! This is a great start and hope for a brighter and better life for the individuals with autism and their families. Hats off to Andy, Michael and Dana for another “job well done”. You are truly the crusades of the global autism community. Warm wishes.
Thats really enthusiastic and HOPE for BANGLADESH!