Minister for labour and Manpower Abdul Mannan Bhu-yfan yesterday called for changing social attitudes towards the persons with disabilities and ensure their due position In society, reports BSS.

He was addressing the inaugural session of a three-day workshop, arranged to formulate a national policy for the disabled at the Academy for Planning and Development here.

The National Forum of the Organisations Working with the Disabled (NFOWD) and the Voluntary Health Services Society (VHSS) Jointly organised the workshop with assistance from Christoffel Blindcn Mission (CBM).

The Minister said a large number of people every year fell victims to disabilities for want of simple health consciousness. He urged all concerned to make concerted efforts for the prevention of disabilities and build up social awareness in this regard.

Mannan also stressed the need for formulating a proper policy for the overall welfare ol the disabled, taking into consideration the changing social and family structure.

Secretary of Social Welfare Ministry Prof KM Fariduddin, who attended the function as the special guest, observed

that the state, NGOs, families and people at large should play coordinated roles for prevention of disabilities and rehabilitation and treatment of the disabled persons.

Presided over by the President of NFOWD, Khondokar Jahurul Alam, the function was also addressed by Director of VHSS, Dr Nasir Uddin, and Mohammad Shahid ul Haq of NFOWD.