Maldives considers state benefits to its disabled citizens

From Minivan News in the Maldives islands:

A bill on providing financial assistance of Rf2,000 (US$155) a month to people with special needs was sent to committee Oct. 6.

The legislation was proposed by Vilufushi MP Riyaz Rasheed of the Dhivehi Qaumee Party and was first debated during the previous session of parliament.

During the Oct. 6 debate as well during the past sittings, MPs suggested that the bill should be combined with a more comprehensive bill proposed by the government to protect the rights of people with disabilities.

Riyaz said he supported sending the two bills to the same committee, adding he welcomed amendments to improve the legislation.

“The honourable member from Kibidhoo noted that assistance was not being provided to people with special needs despite it being allocated in this year’s budget,” he said. “I received a petition from 300 people with special needs. They made the same complaint and that they’re facing a lot of difficulties.”

All 59 MPs in attendance voted in favour of sending the bill to the social affairs committee.

If passed, funds will be included in the budget for 2010 and the ministry responsible for social security will have to compile a registry of people with special needs.

Independent MP for Dhuvaafaru Mohamed Zubair said financial assistance should also be given to widowed mothers.

Nolhivaram MP Mohamed Nasheed of the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) said there should be a provision to establish a mechanism to offer preventive medical care.

Independent MP Ali Riza for Milandhoo said disabled people should get the same amount in state benefits as the elderly.

Riza said the disabilities bill proposed by the government was comprehensive and it would save time to pass one bill.

Thulusdhoo MP Rozaina Adam of the Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) said people with special needs in her constituency received state benefits before, but had complained of it being stopped.

Rozaina called on the government to ensure that children with thalassemia received assistance from the state.

DRP MP for Galolhu South Ahmed Mahlouf said he supported combining the bill with the more detailed legislation proposed by the government at committee stage.

Mahlouf said the former government was able to raise awareness among the public about disabled people, who were marginalised in the past.

Dhidhoo MP Ahmed Sameer of the MDP said he had proposed article 35 of the constitution at the Special Majlis.

Article 35(b) states, “elderly and disadvantaged persons are entitled to protection and special assistance from the family, the community and the state.”

Sameer said a provision should be added to the bill to provide other forms of assistance to people with special needs. “For example, for a person with special needs who cannot walk, if the government gave him a wheelchair, it would make his life better.”

During the previous sitting, Hulhu-Meedhoo MP Ilyas Labeeb said a survey should be conducted to determine the number of people with disabilities in the country.

“According to my information, a survey was conducted in 2003 and it showed that 3.4 per cent of the population had special needs,” he said.