Govt prepares national program for children with autism, intellectual disability

Centres providing treatment and education to be established across Pakistan


Radio Pakistan October 08, 2022
Minister for National Health Services Abdul Qadir Patel. Photo: Radio Pakistan

Minister for National Health Services Abdul Qadir Patel announced on Saturday that the government has prepared Pakistan's first national program for children with autism and intellectual disability.

Patel said the health ministry will extend cooperation for the establishment of autism and mental disorder centres in four provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and Gilgit Baltistan (G-B).

He further said that a state-of-the-art centre will be established in Islamabad to provide children suffering from autism with both education and treatment.

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The health minister announced that "legislation will also be carried out in the parliament for the protection of children with autism and mental disorders," adding that a survey will be carried out across the country to collect the data on these children.

Further, the minister said in his statement that the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is ready to cooperate with the Pakistani government on this matter.

He assured that practical and effective measures are being taken to bring improvements to the country's health sector.

COMMENTS (2)

Naheed | 2 years ago | Reply Getting all the useless Sindhi officer in federal health system on deputation Allah khair
Afzaal Ansari | 2 years ago | Reply Facts and reality about autism children are astonished. There is dire need to uphold their living condition for their survival in the society. This program will impact positively on them if treated sagaciously.
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