WHO South-East Asia Region appoints autism champion Saima Hossain goodwill ambassador

The WHO South-East Asia Region has appointed Saima Wazed Hossain as ‘goodwill ambassador for autism’ in the region of 11 countries.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 6 July 2017, 08:32 AM
Updated : 6 July 2017, 08:32 AM

Known by her nickname Putul in Bangladesh, Saima spearheads campaigns on mental health issues, including autism, in Bangladesh.

The WHO has called her a “globally renowned champion for the cause of autism spectrum disorder”.

The daughter of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Saima is a US-licensed school psychologist.

She was designated as the WHO champion for South-East Asia in May 2016.

WHO South-East Asia Regional Director Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh announced the extension of her association with WHO, now as a ‘goodwill ambassador’ for a two-year period in New Delhi on Thursday.

Saima’s “passionate and persistent efforts for addressing autism are commendable”, she said.

“She has been making significant contributions towards creating awareness and generating action to address and elevate sufferings of people affected by autism.”

In the last year, Saima facilitated the ‘Thimphu Declaration’ on autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders at an international conference in Bhutan in April 2017.

The declaration calls for a unified approach from all sectors of society and the government, with a focus on strengthening national capacities in health, education and social care to provide effective services and support to people with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders.

As WHO goodwill ambassador, she will promote the declaration, which also called for integrating the needs of autism affected people into national health and socioeconomic development plans, Dr Poonam Singh said.

In addition to the Thimphu Declaration, Saima has also she made other “important” contributions in her role as autism champion, such as the development of a collaborative framework for the implementation of WHO regional strategy on autism spectrum disorder and national action plans for post-disaster mental health and psycho-social support, the regional director said.

Autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders are life-long disabilities that affect brain functioning, and can cause significant impairment in exercising of an individual’s human rights and fundamental freedoms without proper support.

Globally, autism affects about 160 cases in 10,000 people. Children with autism in low-and middle-income countries often do not get the medical attention and care they need.

In recognition of her work for advancing autism in Bangladesh, the WHO South-East Asia Regional Office had honoured her with the Excellence in Public Health Award in September 2014.

Bangladesh, Bhutan, North Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Timor-Leste are member states of WHO South-East Asia.