Ministry of Gender, Family, and Social Services has revealed that 34 children under state care have been returned to their families, including eight of the 11 toddlers under state care.
The children were taken under state custody after it was determined they would not receive proper care with their families. The ministry revealed that 11 children had to be taken under state care this year, and numerous cases were recorded in which drug-addicted parents had left their children at the hospital.
The ministry stated it is making efforts to be less reliant on the policy to keep children under state care indefinitely, which has resulted in 34 children being returned to their families this year. Currently, there are 186 children under state care, out of which 90 children under 13 years of age are at the Hulhumale’ Fiyavathi state care facility.
The ministry stated the biggest challenge in reuniting the children with their families is the lack of improvement in the familial situation, such as abusers remaining in the household, caregivers refusing to listen to the children, and drug addicts living at the residence.
The ministry highlighted the importance of the work to release children who have been living under state care for a long time, which includes collaborating with the relevant authorities to provide them with training and job opportunities.