NATOR, July 30, 2026 — On a sunny afternoon, six-year-old Sinha from Gurudaspur upazila arrives at the Natore Disability Service and Support Centre with her parents. Diagnosed with developmental delays and physical disabilities, Sinha has been receiving physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy at the centre. Her parents say the treatment has brought significant improvement in her condition. This scene is repeated daily at the Natore centre, which has become a beacon of hope for thousands of children and people with disabilities.
Established in 2012 under the National Foundation for the Development of the Disabled Persons, the Natore centre has registered 11,022 patients and provided 114,242 therapy sessions so far. During the last fiscal year, 504 beneficiaries, including 214 children with disabilities, received treatment through nearly 14,000 therapy sessions.
The centre offers a range of services including 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, and assistive devices such as wheelchairs, tricycles, white canes, and hearing aids are distributed free of cost.
The centre, located opposite the Deputy Commissioner's Office, 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 various disabilities including 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. Therapy Assistant Kawsar Hossain says 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, says many patients also visit the centre for electrotherapy and therapeutic exercises.
Clinical Physiotherapist Dr. Subarna Sarkar says 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 says. District Disability Affairs Officer Bhakta Prasad Das calls 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.
