"Early diagnosis of cerebral palsy is vital as these children require early intervention involving parents, therapists, and special educators," said convenor of Shishu Bikash Network Dr Shamim Ferdous.

"In a 10-year data of the Shishu Bikash Clinic of the Bangladesh Protibondhi Foundation, 70 per cent disabled children were diagnosed to have cerebral palsy." she said.

The Shishu Bikash Network and the Academic Link Programme of the British Council organised the two-day congress.

One of the main objectives of the congress is to highlight the importance of early diagnosis of cerebral palsy and its prevention, said Dr Shamim Ferdous.

The Network Chairperson Prof. Naila Z Khan said that her organisation is working for the children who are usually considered disabled.

"Extensive study has shown that most of the children brought to the service centre for treatment have been suffering from disabilities due to cerebral palsy," she said.

"Let's measure the ability of the children and not their disability," said Prof. M. A Mannan, president of Bangladesh Paediatric Association.

"Every seven children per 1000 in Bangladesh have either physical or mental or both kinds of retardation," he said.

Majority of the disabled children has no access to health services and the health professionals often fail to provide useful diagnosis, advice and counselling for the parents of mentally challenged children, the speakers said.

Director of the British Council June Rollinson, Dr Karin Nelson of the National Institute of Health, USA, and Prof. Veena Kalra of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, also spoke.