7% of Maldives’ population live with disabilities

Around seven percent of the Maldivian population has some form of disability, according to the Social and Family Development Ministry.

In a statement on Monday, the ministry highlighted on the need to provide special protection and care for persons with disabilities, equipping them with the resources needed to lead independent and dignified lives.

The ministry said that seven percent of the Maldivian population live with disabilities, but did not provide details in the statement.

In the statement, the ministry stressed the need for greater inclusivity, pledging to seek the opinion of persons with disabilities in making important decisions.

Facilitating opportunities for persons with disabilities to gain the education, experience and skills they need is key to establishing prosperous families, said the ministry.

There are over 14,000 persons with disabilities registered with the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA).

In April, North Galolhu MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu), a lawmaker from the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), submitted an emergency motion to the Parliament alleging failure of state institutions mandated with providing healthcare and social protection to persons with disabilities.

In his motion, Kudu accused NSPA and other relevant state institutions of failure to provide the special protection, financial aid and medical care that persons with disabilities are entitled to under Maldivian laws.

Key issues highlighted in his motion included:

• Families of persons with disabilities being forced to spend out of their own pocket due to failure of the state to cover therapy fees.
• Long waitlist at therapy centers.
• A rise in therapy fees.
• Persons with disabilities being denied the therapy they need due to shortage of therapists.
• Lack of availability of pharmaceuticals and other medical resources that individuals with conditions such as autism and ADHD require from local pharmacies.

The motion was pushed out of the Parliament, in which the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) holds a supermajority, following which Kudu raised the issue again with the legislative assembly in the form of a petition signed by 47 families.

Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim later met with parents and guardians of persons with disabilities and promised to address their concerns.