The government is gearing up to bolster mental and physical health services, education, and sports opportunities for individuals with disabilities in the fiscal year 2024-25 budget.

Initiatives are being planned to expand the capacity of organizations involved in providing health and education services to individuals with disabilities, despite a marginal increase in allocation for these initiatives, according to the Ministry of Social Welfare.

During a recent budget management committee meeting of the ministry, a decision was taken to enhance services for people with disabilities, with a particular focus on improving their quality of life.

Md Nazrul Islam, additional secretary (Budget, Activities, and Evaluation) of the social welfare ministry, highlighted the government's active efforts to enhance facilities for marginalized groups, including individuals with disabilities.

A joint meeting between the social welfare ministry and the finance ministry on March 19 discussed further steps to expand the disability identification program in the upcoming financial year.

Proposals were made to increase expenditure on various initiatives, including the Neuro-Developmental Disability Protection Trust, rehabilitation of burn victims and disabled individuals, and funding for the National Foundation for the Development of Disabled Persons.

Additionally, the budget allocation for disability services and support centers is proposed to increase, along with allocations for schools catering to students with disabilities and integrated visually impaired educational institutions.

A significant amount has been requested in the next fiscal year's budget for the construction of a sports complex for people with special needs, with projects related to this initiative to be included in the annual development program.

Despite a reduction in allocation for this sector in the revised budget of the current fiscal year, plans are underway to allocate funds for constructing academic buildings and therapy centers for schools catering to individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism.

Moreover, there are plans to expand the National Academy for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities project to further support individuals with disabilities.

According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) National Disability Survey-2022 data, there are approximately 46 lakh disabled persons in the country, constituting 2.8% of the total population.

The government continues its support for education scholarships and monthly allowances for disabled individuals, with no changes in allocation for the upcoming fiscal year.