Hossain will focus on strengthening national capacities in health, education and social care sectors to provide effective services and support to people with autism and other neuro developmental disorders
Saima Wazed Hossain, a champion for the cause of autism spectrum disorder, has been appointed as WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Autism in South-East Asia Region.
“Hossain’s passionate and persistent efforts for addressing autism are commendable. She has been making significant contributions towards creating awareness and generating action to address and elevate sufferings of people affected by autism,” Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director for WHO South-East Asia, said, announcing extension of Hossain’s association with WHO, now as a Goodwill Ambassador for a two-year period.
In the last one year, championing for the cause of autism for WHO, Hossain facilitated the ‘Thimphu Declaration’ on autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders at an international conference in Bhutan in April 2017. The declaration calls for a whole-of–society and whole-of-government approach, with a focus on strengthening national capacities in health, education and social care sectors to provide effective services and support to people with autism and other neuro developmental disorders.
As WHO Goodwill Ambassador, Hossain will be promoting the Thimphu declaration which also emphasises on integrating the needs of autism affected people, into national health and socio economic development plans, Dr Khetrapal Singh said.
Earlier, in recognition of Hossain’s work for advancing autism in her home country Bangladesh, WHO South-East Asia Regional Office had honoured her with the Excellence in Public Health Award in September 2014.
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