Society of Speech & Language Therapists (SSLT): The Recognized Professional Official Body for Communication, Hearing, and Swallowing Healthcare in Bangladesh
The Society of Speech & Language Therapists (SSLT) is a non-political, voluntary official professional body committed to advancing education, training, and ethical practice in communication, hearing, and swallowing healthcare in Bangladesh. Established in 2017 and recognized by the Bangladesh Government, SSLT is also a key stakeholder and representative body for communication, hearing, and swallowing healthcare professionals under the Bangladesh Rehabilitation Council Act of 2018, which regulates health rehabilitation professionals in the country.
With a mandate to operate across Bangladesh, SSLT plays a pivotal role in upholding professional standards, supporting workforce development, and fostering collaboration to improve services for individuals experiencing communication, hearing, and swallowing challenges. SSLT is dedicated to promoting the best practices within its scope, enhancing the well-being of the people we serve, and ensuring continuous professional growth for those in the field.
The Evolution of Communication, Hearing, and Swallowing Healthcare in Bangladesh
The journey of communication, hearing, and swallowing healthcare in Bangladesh took a significant leap forward in 2004 when the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Dhaka, in collaboration with the Bangladesh Health Professions Institute (BHPI) — the academic arm of the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP) — introduced the first-ever 5-year Bachelor of Science program in the field. This program, modeled after the curriculum of University College London (UCL), aimed to train professionals in addressing the increasing demand for skilled practitioners in communication and hearing healthcare.
This milestone program marked a critical turning point, with the first cohort of qualified professionals entering the healthcare sector. These professionals faced multiple challenges, including the prevalence of malpractice and the pressing need for defined standards in education, clinical practice, and research. These challenges emphasized the necessity for a regulatory body to oversee professional standards, guide clinical practices, and encourage continuous development within the field of communication, hearing, and swallowing disorders.
In response to these challenges, the founding of the Society of Speech & Language Therapists (SSLT) became a key moment in the professional history of Bangladesh. SSLT took on the responsibility of maintaining high standards in education, advocating for ethical practices, and fostering innovation in the treatment of communication, hearing, and swallowing impairments. The Society has played an instrumental role in providing ongoing professional development, raising awareness, and creating a cohesive community for all healthcare professionals working in this multidisciplinary field.
Since its establishment, communication, hearing, and swallowing healthcare in Bangladesh has experienced significant improvements, thanks in part to the contributions of professionals guided by SSLT. Today, these practitioners continue to enhance the lives of individuals with speech, hearing, and swallowing difficulties, ultimately improving both individual health outcomes and societal well-being.
Addressing Gaps in Training, Professional Development, and Public Awareness
A significant challenge in Bangladesh has been the limited access to training and continuous professional development for practitioners in communication, hearing, and swallowing healthcare. Public awareness has also been minimal, making it difficult for individuals to recognize and access qualified professionals. As a result, many people with communication, hearing and swallowing difficulties have not received appropriate care, often due to a lack of referrals from other healthcare providers.
The Global and National Context
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 1 billion people, or approximately 16% of the global population, experience significant disability. In Bangladesh, the Household Income and Expenditure Survey (2016) reported that around 7.5% of the population has some form of disability, many of whom face challenges related to communication, hearing, and swallowing.
Access to education, healthcare, and employment remains limited for individuals with these difficulties, restricting their full participation in society. However, with appropriate support, rehabilitation, and inclusive services, they can contribute meaningfully to their communities. Ensuring accessible communication, hearing, and swallowing healthcare is essential to empowering them and promoting their rights.
The Formation of SSLT: A Response to Emerging Needs
SSLT was established to address the growing need for ethical practice, high-quality education, and professional standards in communication, hearing, and swallowing healthcare. Committed to preventing malpractice, SSLT plays a key role in raising awareness, fostering professional development, and advocating for individuals with communication, hearing, and swallowing disorders.