CRP created its Zakat Fund to enrich its fund without depending on foreign donations, which is declining in recent time.

The fund will be used as per the rules of zakat for the needy patients, said CM Shafi Sami, managing trustee of the Trust for Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (TRP) at a press conference at the CRP in Savar on the outskirts of the capital.

"If a Muslim wishes that their zakat should be used only for Muslim patients, it will be complied," he said.

The former foreign secretary Sami said most of the patients admitted to the centre come from very poor families.

The treatment of the patients of spinal cord injuries is very expensive, which is almost Tk 15,000 per month, Valerie A Taylor, member secretary of the TRP told the journalists.

The worldwide phenomenon of aid is declining, which is why the foreign donor agencies are stressing the need for building local ownership of the centre, Sami noted, adding that many individuals and corporations are also coming forward to help the CRP.

Responding to a question he said, "Zakat Fund meant to be made by the Muslims is in no way a religious discrimination, but an additional measure to enrich the financial capacity of the CRP, so that the patients whose lives are in alarming condition have the access to treatment and none die for lack of medicine."

With the creation of this fund the CRP can provide better treatment to more patients at the CRP where there is a 100-bed hospital for the patients of spinal cord injuries and additional 21 beds for the cerebral palsy child patients, he added.

The centre trains the mothers of the cerebral palsy children for exercise and has a special school where the physically challenged children are given education.

CRP also has a women rehabilitation centre at Gonokbari of Savar where the paralysed women are trained for self-employment.

Since its inception in 1990, CRP Savar centre treated and rehabilitated 4765 patients while everyday at least 300 patients receive outdoor services.

Many patients, who recover, but need special types of instruments for their movements, also require a good amount of money, said TRP Member Leena Alam. "This is a matter of life and death, so we appeal to the generous people to come to save lives."

Maj Gen Dr Muhammad Nurul Haq (Retd), acting chairman of TRP, also spoke at the press conference.

Any one wants to give Zakat or offer any financial help to CRP fund may contact CRP, post: CRP-Chapain, Savar, Dhaka-1343; Phone: 7710464-5, Fax: 7710069 or may email to fundraising@crp-bangladesh.org. Their website address is www.crp-bangladesh.org.