“As per international statistics we assume there are around 200,000 people in Bangladesh with Trisomy 21. We cannot confirm it without a statistical survey,” said Sarder A Razzak, executive director of Down Syndrome Parents Support Group of Bangladesh.
He says the country is not prepared to help people with the condition, especially children. Most parents are not aware of what it is or when their children have it, he added.
The government recently launched programs for autism, but Down Syndrome was not included.
Dr Ajanta Rani Saha, secretary general of Bangladesh Down Syndrome Association, said a friendly environment can help children with Down Syndrome learn better, even though they might learn slower, adding that they do not need to be sent to special schools as most can cope with regular schooling.World Down Syndrome Day is being observed today with the help of Down Syndrome Parents Support Group of Bangladesh and Association of Medical Doctors of Asia for the fourth time in Bangladesh at Dhaka University premises.
The United Nations declared March 21 as World Down Syndrome Day in 2011 to create awareness of the chromosomal arrangement that causes the syndrome.
In Bangladesh, there are no studies on people with the syndrome. It occurs when a person has an extra pair of the 21st chromosome, giving it the name Trisomy 21.
This year’s theme “My Voice, My Community” emphasises the need for people with Down Syndrome to be able to speak up, be heard and influence government policy and action and to be included in society.
“As per international statistics we assume there are around 200,000 people in Bangladesh with Trisomy 21. We cannot confirm it without a statistical survey,” said Sarder A Razzak, executive director of Down Syndrome Parents Support Group of Bangladesh.
He says the country is not prepared to help people with the condition, especially children. Most parents are not aware of what it is or when their children have it, he added.
The government recently launched programs for autism, but Down Syndrome was not included.
Dr Ajanta Rani Saha, secretary general of Bangladesh Down Syndrome Association, said a friendly environment can help children with Down Syndrome learn better, even though they might learn slower, adding that they do not need to be sent to special schools as most can cope with regular schooling.
“As per international statistics we assume there are around 200,000 people in Bangladesh with Trisomy 21. We cannot confirm it without a statistical survey,” said Sarder A Razzak, executive director of Down Syndrome Parents Support Group of Bangladesh.
He says the country is not prepared to help people with the condition, especially children. Most parents are not aware of what it is or when their children have it, he added.
The government recently launched programs for autism, but Down Syndrome was not included.
Dr Ajanta Rani Saha, secretary general of Bangladesh Down Syndrome Association, said a friendly environment can help children with Down Syndrome learn better, even though they might learn slower, adding that they do not need to be sent to special schools as most can cope with regular schooling.