A specialised therapy centre in Gaibandha is helping people with disabilities regain mobility and improve their quality of life, bringing rehabilitation services closer to underserved communities in the northern district.
The Friendship Therapy Centre, established in 2023, provides rehabilitation support to children and adults with physical and neurological disabilities, including those who have difficulty moving their limbs or carrying out everyday activities.
The initiative, run by development organisation Friendship, has enabled several patients to regain movement and perform daily activities with greater independence, according to rehabilitation officials and beneficiaries.
Among them is 45-year-old Raja Mia, a resident of Char Ratanpur, whose life changed following an accident four years ago.
“After the accident, I could not move properly. But after receiving services from the therapy centre, I can now walk and move around. I am doing reasonably well,” he said.
His wife described the difficulties the family faced before he began receiving rehabilitation services.
“He used to remain bedridden and could not move his arms or legs. We have been receiving treatment from the Friendship Therapy Centre for the past two years. Now he can move around,” she said.
However, she said her husband still requires advanced medical treatment to make further progress in his recovery.
Rehabilitation services reaching remote communities
Farhana Ashrekin, rehabilitation officer at the Friendship Therapy Centre in Gaibandha, said the organisation launched its rehabilitation program in 2020, while the dedicated therapy centre began operations in 2023.
“Since then, we have been providing therapy services to children and adults with neurological impairments and difficulties moving their arms and legs,” she said.
She said regular therapy had helped many patients improve muscle movement and functional mobility.
“Some patients who previously remained bedridden are now able to sit up, while others have gradually regained the ability to stand and walk,” she added.
The program is particularly significant for people living in remote char areas, where access to specialised healthcare and rehabilitation services remains limited.
Local authorities seek expanded facilities
Matiar Rahman, chairman of Kamarjani Union Parishad under Gaibandha Sadar upazila, said Friendship’s activities had improved access to services and assistance for people with disabilities in the area.
He said the organisation had distributed wheelchairs and recreational materials while working closely with the union parishad to identify people requiring support.
“Friendship’s work for people with disabilities in our union is commendable. We are working together to ensure they receive the assistance they need,” he said.
According to the chairman, approximately 350 people with disabilities live in Kamarjani union.
He said coordination with Friendship had made it easier for local authorities to identify eligible beneficiaries and facilitate access to government disability allowances.
The organisation has also supported an educational initiative called Baranda School in Koraibari, providing learning opportunities for children with disabilities.
Rahman called for the establishment of a dedicated school for children with disabilities in the union.
“My dream is to establish a model school for children with disabilities in Kamarjani,” he said.
He also urged the authorities to introduce larger, specially equipped boats to ensure safer transportation and evacuation for people with disabilities during floods, a recurring challenge in the riverine region.
Friendship plans to expand rehabilitation services
Barrister Ayesha Taasin Khan, senior director and head of Inclusive Citizenship at Friendship, said the therapy centre had helped change attitudes towards disability within families.
She said parents and other family members were becoming more optimistic as they witnessed improvements in the physical abilities and daily functioning of children receiving rehabilitation support.
“The way we are caring for and giving importance to children with disabilities is creating greater hope among their family members,” she said.
Khan said the initiative had originally been designed to serve residents of remote char communities, but demand had expanded beyond those areas.
“We initially planned to provide services only to char residents. However, people from the mainland are also coming to the therapy centre for treatment,” she said.
Describing the growing demand as a significant development, she expressed hope that similar centres could be established in other underserved areas with government support.
She said expanding rehabilitation facilities would help more people with disabilities access essential services closer to their homes.