Doctors demand arrest of those involved in recent attacks on two physicians in the district
Putul to advise WHO on mental health
The World Health Organisation has drafted global autism advocate Saima Wazed Hossain into its highly prestigious ‘Expert Advisory Panel’ on mental health.
Published : 2 June 2014, 02:49 PM
Updated : 2 June 2014, 03:20 PM
The WHO Director General considers technical ability, experience, global representation in terms of diversity of knowledge, and approaches in the relevant field before picking an expert for any of its advisory panels.
Better known in Bangladesh by her nickname, Putul, she is the daughter of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Mahbubul Hoque Shakil confirmed bdnews24.com of her appointment in the WHO advisory panel.
An US-licensed school psychologist, Saima Hossain also advocates for New York-based Autism Speaks.
File Photo
She spearheads autism campaigns in Bangladesh, and it was largely her endeavors that brought South Asian nations together under the South Asian Autism Network’s (SAAN).
She will serve in the 25-member experts’ panel for four years.
According to the WHO, the panel will directly advise the WHO chief on mental health issues “as appropriate, spontaneously or upon request”.
Its members will also review a situation and make technical recommendations to the director-general but they will not receive any extra remuneration for that.
It is due to Saima Hossain’s approaches that Bangladesh is globally known for its campaign for the well-being of autistic children.
And it is for Bangladesh’s initiative that the WHO passed a resolution on autism in the just-concluded World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.
Hasina’s daughter is known for broaching new ideas on how to effectively manage people with mental health problems.
Last month, in Geneva just before the autism resolution was passed she called upon countries to adopt a “holistic approach” to neuro-development disorders.
She also put forward six recommendations on the sidelines of the health assembly.
Saima Hossain also suggested “a holistic approach” for the autistic children that would enable “access to medical, educational and employment opportunities throughout their entire life”.
She urged all countries to help develop “culturally sensitive and economically feasible” assessment and intervention techniques for children with autism.
But, above all, she pitched for policies and programmes on mental health “based on scientific evidence and supportive of families”.
Also Read: Putul for new autism approach
Also Read: WHO passes Bangladesh resolution on autism
Also Read: Asia needs own tool for autism: Putul
RELATED STORIES
At least seven people have died from suspected heatstroke in the country
Bangladesh has already seen five deaths from ‘heatstroke’ at the start of the summer
At least five people have died reportedly from heatstroke in two days amid searing temperatures
