Sharmin Akhtar, a visually impaired resident of Satkhira, has been appointed as ”‘Junior Officer” at Essential Drugs Company Limited (EDCL) under a special arrangement. She is scheduled to join her new place of employment on 2 August.
The Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain, handed over the appointment letter to Sharmin on Thursday.
The ceremony was attended by Dr SM Ziauddin Haider, special assistant (Health Affairs) to the prime minister, and Professor Probhat Chandra Biswas, director general of Directorate General of Health Services.
The appointment follows a request made by Sharmin to the health minister on 26 July during his inspection of hospitals in Satkhira. The minister had promised her employment at the time.
Sharmin, who hails from Paschim Kaikhali village in Shyamnagar Upazila, Satkhira, has completed both her graduation and post-graduation from Department of Government and Politics at Jahangirnagar University.
Upon receiving her appointment letter, Sharmin expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Health Minister Sakhawat Hossain.
In an emotional statement to the media, she said, “After learning of my situation, the health minister personally promised to provide me with a job and has fulfilled that promise very quickly. Now I can stand by my helpless family”.
Health Minister Sakhawat Hossain informed journalists that Sharmin comes from a family with no earning members despite her high educational achievements.
He confirmed that she has been posted to EDCL and that her position will be made permanent following a six-month probationary period. He also requested the public to pray for her success.
During the event, SM Ziauddin Haider said the government is actively implementing the prime pinister’s election pledge to support the country’s persons with disabilities. He said every person with a disability will be rehabilitated, with employment opportunities provided according to their individual merit and qualifications.
