The Ministry of Social and Family Development has said that the new action plan devised to protect disability rights will further ensure the health and well-being of people with disabilities.
The National Action Plan On Disability Inclusion marks an important milestone in Maldives’ journey towards a truly inclusive society, designed to ensure greater disability access and enjoy a far better livelihood with its implementation.
The action plan was drafted after consultations with a wide range of stakeholders, including disability associations, private sector representatives and government agencies, all working to promote and protect the rights of people with disabilities in the Maldives.
Speaking on PSM News’ ‘Raajje Miadhu’ programme, the Minister of State for Social and Family Development, Ahmed Athif said the action plan will focus on the challenges faced by people with disabilities in access to healthcare.
Under the action plan, the health sector will enhance the services provided to people with disabilities and to ensure that they too can live a normal life.
"The first thing under this plan is to identify people with disabilities as early as possible. From the first day of marriage, we will see to it that they get the necessary counselling and family planning. If we do this in a systematic way, we will see adequate results,” State Minister Athif said.
“We have given special focus to the preventive aspect too including childhood treatment and care.”
The National Action Plan on Disability Inclusion is a collaboration between the Ministry and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The action plan primarily contains five main areas, including health, education, finance, inclusivity and access to justice.
The goal is to create an inclusive, coordinated framework that ensures equal opportunities and access to services for individuals with disabilities.