Opposition MP Submits Petition After Parliament Rejects Motion on Disability Support
Parliament of Maldives | Photo: People’s Majlis
A parliamentarian from the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has submitted a petition to the Parliament raising concern over the state’s failure to fund therapy for persons with disabilities.
The petition, submitted on Tuesday by North Galolhu MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu), is endorsed by 47 parents of persons with disabilities. It highlights a series of challenges families face in accessing necessary care and support, particularly from the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA).
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The submission followed the rejection of an emergency motion by MP Mohamed on the same issue. In his motion, he alleged that NSPA and other relevant state institutions were failing to uphold their legal obligations to provide special protection, financial support and medical care to persons with disabilities. The ruling People’s National Congress (PNC), which holds a supermajority in Parliament, voted down the motion.
The four-page petition outlines a range of issues, including poor communication between parents and NSPA, unanswered queries, the loss of documents submitted by families, and significant delays in reimbursements for therapy sessions, particularly for individuals with autism and ADHD.
According to the petition, these concerns were previously raised during a meeting with NSPA CEO Heena Waleed on 6 January 2024, and again during a meeting with officials from the Disability Council on 21 February 2024.
The key concerns outlined by parents include a lack of full state coverage for therapy fees, long waitlists at therapy centres, increasing costs, and a shortage of qualified therapists. Families also reported difficulties obtaining necessary pharmaceuticals and medical resources from local pharmacies.
The petition also points to the limited quality of services available from private therapy providers and the absence of sufficient public alternatives. Parents said they had hoped for improvements under the current administration but have instead encountered continued hardship.
The petition calls for a parliamentary inquiry into the failure of NSPA to deliver the required healthcare services. It further recommends that the investigation extend to the Disability Council, the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM), and the Ministry of Social and Family Development.
