Participants of a seminar on 'International Day of Persons with Disabilities' pose for photo at the auditorium of the Bangladesh Institute of Child Health in the city yesterday. The Bangladesh Society for Child Neurology, Development and Disability (BSCNDD) organised the event.

The Bangladesh Society for Child Neurology, Develop-ment and Disability (BSCNDD) organised a seminar in the city yesterday to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, says a press release.
"Abilities of children with disabilities should be highlighted and focused upon," said BSCNDD Chairperson Prof Monimul Hoque.
Prof Monimul presided over the seminar while Dr Shamim Ferdous, executive director, Bangladesh Protibondhi Foundation, and Prof Naila Zaman Khan, secretary general of BSCNDD, presented two papers.
Dr Ferdous highlighted the need for increased awareness about the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which the government has ratified.
Prof Naila Khan emphasised the reversibility of disabling conditions when children are identified young and provided appropriate intervention.
She urged the government to establish services closer to reduce mothers' mental and physical stress and pressure on the family's finances and to ensure optimum development of children.
Eminent physicians, psychologists, therapists and health professionals attended the seminar moderated by Dr Nazneen Banu, associate professor of paediatrics at Sir Salimullah Medical College Hospital and executive secretary of the society.
Prof Azad Chowdhury of DSH, Prof Mizanur Rahman of BSSMMU, and Dr Selina Husna Banu of Mirpur Shishu Hospital also spoke at the seminar held at the auditorium of the Bangladesh Institute of Child Health, Dhaka Shishu Hospital.