Dhaka: Saima Wazed Hossain has been awarded the International Champion Award from Shema Kolainu, a New York-based School and Center for Children with Autism, for her relentless and innovative works for the wellbeing of the persons with autism.

Saima, daughter of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and member of WHO's Expert Advisory Panel on Mental Health and Chairperson of National Advisory Committee on Autism of Bangladesh, has been the inspirational figure at the international level for her Autism works.

Last month, WHO South-East Asia Region appointed Saima Wazed Hossain as 'Goodwill Ambassador for Autism' in the regions of 11 countries.

Bangladesh ​Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Masud Bin Momen received the award from Shema Kolainu and its international affiliate ICare4Autism on behalf of Saima at a ceremony held at the Princeton Club on July 25 at the annual legislative breakfast, said a press releaseon Wednesday.

Established in 1998, Shema Kolainu is the first school and center for children in Autism in New York. Today, close to a thousand children benefit from Shema Kolainu's center- and home-based services and programs, available to children on the autism spectrum from all communities, irrespective of their culture creed and faith in all 5 boroughs of New York City.

Accepting the ward, ​Ambassador Masud said Bangladesh has achieved a remarkable success in ensuring the rights and wellbeing of persons affected by autism and other neuro-developmental disorders under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's leadership.

​​Globally, autism affects about 160 cases in 10,000 people. Children with autism in low-and middle-income countries often do not get the medical attention and care they need.