Staff Correspondent

The Dhaka District Administration has taken full responsibility for the medical care and livelihood of 65-year-old Nazma Akhter, an intellectually disabled woman facing severe heart and kidney ailments without the support of parents or brothers.

At  an initiative by Dhaka Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanom,  financial assistance of Tk 10,000 is being provided to Nazma on a monthly basis. 

On Thursday (November 5), the second installment of the financial aid was formally handed over to Nazma at the Deputy Commissioner’s office.

Originally hailing from Majidpur village in Bikrampur, Nazma currently lives with her younger sister, Asma Akhter, in Dhaka's Moghbazar area. Having lived with an intellectual disability since childhood, Nazma never married. Following the deaths of her parents and brothers, Asma became her sole caregiver. However, struggling with a limited income, Asma found it increasingly difficult to manage household expenses while bearing Tk 3,000 to Tk 4,000 monthly for Nazma's essential medications, leaving proper nutrition and treatment out of reach.

Reflecting on the assistance, Asma Akhter expressed profound gratitude, stating that she met the Deputy Commissioner during an event for disabled children and was subsequently invited to the office. She noted that the monthly support has enabled her to purchase necessary medicines, nutritious food, fish, and meat for her sister.

Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanom explained that she first encountered Nazma three to four months ago during a program titled "Mayar Bandhon" at the Rajarbagh Police Lines, where she learned of Nazma's vulnerable condition. "Realizing her plight, the Dhaka District Administration decided to take responsibility for Nazma," the DC said, assuring that the monthly assistance of Tk 10,000 will be continued regularly.

Emphasizing the collective responsibility of society, the Deputy Commissioner urged affluent individuals to extend a helping hand to disadvantaged and disabled populations.