Saima receives Award for Excellence in Public Health
Saima Hossain Putul, a noted international autism expert and daughter of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, on Wednesday received the Award for Excellence in Public Health.
The World Health Organization (WHO) honoured Saima Hossain with the prestigious award for her outstanding contributions to the area of Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Saima Hossain is among the first two recipients of the newly-introduced Award for Excellence in Public Health which were conferred upon by WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia Region Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina attended the function held at Sonargaon Hotel in the capital in the evening.
Saima is the Chair of the National Advisory Committee on Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Autism in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Bangladesh.
Receiving the award, Saima Hossain dedicated it to those families living with autism disorder.
"I feel honoured and humble for the award with my small efforts. As a mental health professional, I always believe that it is my duty to advocate persons with autism," she said amid thunderous clapping of the audience.
"Autism just happens to be one of my favourites because not only it is the most challenging disorders out there but also one of the least understood one," she said.
Saima said autism is truly an enormous public health challenge. "This recognition by the WHO indicates that it (WHO) understands the need for addressing autism," Saima said.
Dr Khetrapal Singh commended Saima Hossain as the driving force behind Bangladesh’s leadership in advancing the cause of autism in the region and worldwide.
“Saima Hossain's work has helped build multidisciplinary or multi-stakeholder partnerships for ASDs and childhood development disorders which resulted in the adoption of resolutions at the United Nations and the World Health Organization,” said Dr Khetrapal Singh.
WHO also recognised the noteworthy contributions of the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) of Timor-Leste with the Award for Excellence in Public Health.
Health Minister of Timor-Leste Dr Sergio Lobo received the award from Dr Khetrapal Singh.
Malaria caused over 223000 cases in 2006 with over 68 deaths. With WHO technical assistance and strong political commitment, the NMCP launched a vigorous anti-malarial effort across the country. By 2013, the malaria cases declined dramatically 1040 with only three deaths. With the incidence of 1 case per 1000 population, the country achieved its MDG target for malaria.