Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s daughter Saima Wazed Hossain has been awarded by a New York-based School and Center for Children with Autism for her innovative and relentless works for the people suffering with Autism.
Saima has been spearheading autism campaign in Bangladesh and is seen as an inspirational figure at the international level. She is Chairperson of the National Advisory Committee on Autism in Bangladesh and is also part of Shuchona Foundation, which works on mental health issues. She is also a member of WHO’s Expert Advisory Panel on mental health.
Bangladesh’s permanent representative to the UN Masud Bin Momen, received the award from Shema Kolainu and its international affiliate ICare4Autism on behalf of Saima.
Shema Kolainu is the first autism centre and school in New York. According to the website the school was established in 1998, and is a nonpublic, nonprofit, nondenominational, multi-cultural school that offers a broad spectrum of evidence-based education and therapeutic programs to children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related disabilities in a warm and nurturing environment.
While receiving the award, ambassador Momen said, “The World Health Organization has declared Saima Wazed Hossain as ‘Global Renowned Champion’. In addition, the Southeast Asian Regional Office appointed Saima as the ‘Goodwill ambassador’ for autism to 11 countries in the region. Prior to this, they awarded her the prestigious ‘Excellence in Public Health Award’ in 2014.”
Ambassador Masud also read out a message of Saima at the award giving ceremony. ‘I am honoured by this recognition by Shema Kolainu”, Saima said in her message.
She also noted that she is working towards creating such well-planned comprehensive training for both care givers and other professionals in Bangladesh and the slushy East Asia region.
“Autism transcends all religious, cultural and socio-economic boundaries so services and programmes are needed to as well,” Saima said. “I am working towards creating such well-planned comprehensive training for both care givers and other professionals in Bangladesh and the slushy East Asia region,” Saima added.
Globally, autism affects about 160 persons in 10,000 people. Children with autism in low-and middle-income countries often do not get the medical attention and care they need.
