Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her daughter Saima Wazed Hossain, were at the helm of a global event at Thimpu in Bhutan on Wednesday.
This rare incident took place as Sheikh Hasina chaired the "International Conference on Autism and Nuerodevelopmental Disorders" while Saima Wazed, who is a strong advocate for autism, moderated the same function at the Royal Banquet Hall in Thimpu, reports BSS.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, inaugurated the conference as the guest of honour Wednesday morning and chaired the discussion in the afternoon on "Enabling countries to successfully address autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) as part of their Sustainable Development Goals".
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During the inaugural session of the conference, Bhutan Prime Ministet Dshao Tshering Tobgay thanked Sheikh Hasina for attending the conference despite her busy schedule.
He also acknowledged Sheikh Hasina’s leadership for Bangladesh's leading role in creating awareness on autism worldwide.
The Bhutanese premier also admired the influential role of Saima Wazed in building awareness about autism and congratulated her on being designated as "WHO Champion for Autism" in the South-East Asia region.
Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, regional director, WHO Regional Office for South East Asia, co-chaired the discussion, while Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's International Affairs Advisor Dr Gowher Rizvi spoke, among others.
The three-day conference was organised by the Health ministries of Bangladesh and Bhutan in collaboration with Dhaka-based NGO Shuchona Foundation, Thimpu-based NGO Ability Bhutan Society, and World Health Organisation (WHO) Southeast Asia regional office.
Saima Wazed Hossain, member of WHO’s expert advisory panel on mental health, took the initiative to organise the conference at WHO's request.
She is the Chairperson of Bangladesh National Advisory Committee for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders and WHO Champion for Autism in South-East Asia Region.
Thursday, June 04, 2026
