Photo: BSS

By Farazi Ahmad Rafiq Baban

NATORE, July 30, 2026 (BSS) - The Disability Service and Support Centre in Natore has become a key support hub for children with disabilities and people at risk of developing disabilities by providing free specialized treatment and rehabilitation services.

Established in 2012 under the National Foundation for the Development of the Disabled Persons under the Ministry of Social Welfare, the centre has so far registered 11,022 patients and provided 114,242 therapy sessions.

During the last fiscal year, 504 beneficiaries, including 214 children with disabilities, received treatment through nearly 14,000 therapy sessions.

The centre provides physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, speech pathology and other rehabilitation services with modern equipment and trained professionals. It also runs Autism and Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT) corners for children with autism.

A mobile therapy van extends services to rural communities, while assistive devices are distributed free of cost. So far, the centre has provided 1,464 wheelchairs, 122 tricycles, 210 white canes, 191 hearing aids and over 300 other assistive devices.

Located opposite the Deputy Commissioner's Office, the centre is among the most active of the country's 103 disability service and support centres.

It currently operates with a clinical physiotherapist, two therapy assistants, two technicians and other staff.

The centre remains open from Saturday to Wednesday, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, offering treatment for autism, physical disabilities, speech and hearing impairments, visual impairments, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and long-term mental health-related disabilities.

Around 60 patients receive treatment daily using 127 sets of therapeutic equipment, including ultrasound therapy, Interferential Therapy (IFT), Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS), Short Wave Diathermy (SWD) and traction systems.

Therapy Assistant Kawsar Hossain said speech and language therapy and occupational therapy are among the most sought-after services, with 25 to 30 patients receiving them daily.

Another therapy assistant, Shefali Khatun, said many patients also visit the centre for electrotherapy and therapeutic exercises.

Six-year-old Sinha of Gurudaspur upazila is among the beneficiaries. After being diagnosed with developmental delays and physical disabilities, she began receiving physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy at the centre. Her parents said the treatment has brought significant improvement in her condition.

Alam Hossain of Singra Municipality also brought his autistic son Abdullah to the centre, saying many children have improved after receiving treatment there.

Clinical Physiotherapist Dr. Subarna Sarkar said treatment plans are prepared individually after assessing each patient's condition.

 "We provide integrated rehabilitation services according to individual needs, along with counselling for patients and caregivers," she said.

District Disability Affairs Officer Bhakta Prasad Das said some therapy machines have become unusable due to prolonged use, while the lack of an auction committee has delayed their removal since 2021.

He also called for a 10-bed residential facility to support patients coming from distant areas and requiring long-term rehabilitation.

Parents and officials believe the centre's services could be expanded further through a permanent building, residential facilities and the appointment of a psychiatrist.