DHAKA: Health Minister Mohammad Nasim on Wednesday said it is great diplomatic success for Bangladesh to make the autism related health programmes mandatory in World Health Organization (WHO).  

In this regard, a regulation was passed in WHO convention, he said.

The health minister came up with the observation in a press conference at his secretariat office in city after attending the 67th conference of WHO on May 19-24 in Geneva of Switzerland.

A proposal titled ‘Comprehensive and Coordinated Affords for the Management of Autism Spectrum Disorder’ was passed in the convention.

Health minister said they unveiled the proposal in the first day to reduce the grief of lakh of physically and mentally challenged people.

On behalf of 11 country of South East Asia, Bangladesh discussed about the proposal and some 27 countries supported.

He also said Global fund granted 150 crore US dollar to prevent HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria. Only Bangladesh provided lower cost health service in the world.   

Saima Wazed, daughter of Prime minister Sheikh Hasina, also present in the convention.

WHO Director General Dr Margaret Chan expressed hope that she would be present in a regional convention scheduled to be held in Dhaka in September.

BDST: 1600 HRS, JUN 04, 2014