Murad inaugurates facility for Down Syndrome in North Nazimabad

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday officially inaugurated the Karachi Down Syndrome Program’s (KDSP) third chapter in North Nazimabad on Tuesday.

He reaffirmed the Sindh government’s dedication to fostering inclusive development and ensuring accessible services for individuals with disabilities. The ceremony was attended by parents, therapists, community leaders, and volunteers, all celebrating a significant step forward in inclusive service delivery in Karachi.

Addressing the ceremony, the CM commended the KDSP as one of the largest and most comprehensive institutions in South Asia, providing end-to-end support for individuals with Down syndrome and their families. “Karachi is home to more than 30,000 individuals with Down syndrome. This number is not just a statistic - it reflects dreams, challenges, and talents. Institutions like KDSP are helping these individuals unlock their full potential with dignity and care.”

The newly launched Third Chapter significantly enhances KDSP’s capacity, increasing the number of therapy sessions provided annually from 30,000 to over 50,000. The centre offers a full range of essential services, including occupational, speech, and physical therapy, as well as specialised educational programmes for younger children and vocational training for older students in activities such as pottery and painting.

“We are committed to strengthening support systems for persons with disabilities, ensuring their rightful place in society,” the CM said and emphasised that progress should be evaluated not only through economic growth but also by the compassion demonstrated towards vulnerable populations.

He said 80 children had already been enrolled at the KDSP Centre, which had the capacity for an additional 150 children. Emphasising the importance of expanding these facilities, he requested the establishment of similar centres in Hyderabad.

Those who spoke on the occasion included Sindh Senior Minister for Transport and Information Sharjeel Memon, DSPD Director Ali Allahwala and CEO Tabish Shehzad. Memon said he was always available to serve as a volunteer for special children and emphasised the need for taking further steps for their welfare.

He added that the credit for this project went to the CM. He added that a piece of land had also been allocated along Shahrah-e-Bhutto, where the CM intended to establish state-of-the-art facilities to ensure better services for special children.

He appealed to the media to broadcast programmes about these centres on TV channels, noting that negative aspects were often highlighted more frequently. He praised the remarkable work being done at the autism centers and urged the media to highlight their positive aspects so that more parents could become aware and benefit from these services.