NSPA cites incomplete docs as cause for therapy payments delay

National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) on Wednesday stated that delays and suspensions in the government’s payment for therapy treatment for children with disabilities are mainly due to incomplete or missing documentation.

The matter was initially raised in Parliament by Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP Mohamed Ibrahim, whose motion was later dropped. Following this, the MP submitted a petition signed by 47 parents of children with disabilities. The petition led to NSPA officials being summoned to the parliamentary petition committee for questioning.

The petition outlined several concerns raised by parents. Chief among them was the irregularity of monthly payments for therapy sessions, which has affected the continuity of care for children. Additional concerns included unexplained interruptions in payments, discrepancies between therapy costs and payments made by NSPA, and a reported lack of access to essential medications for children with ADHD and autism.

Responding to these concerns, NSPA CEO Heena Waleed said the primary cause for delayed payments was the submission of incomplete or inconsistent documentation by therapy providers or families.

“Therapy centres must complete sessions and submit supporting slips with cost details to NSPA. Payments are made based on these documents after checking previous transactions and calculations,” she said. “However, if the amounts do not match or necessary documents are missing, the process is delayed.”

Heena added that payments are issued without delay when all documents are properly submitted.

During the committee session, MDP MP Hussain Ziyad said parents often experience months-long delays in receiving therapy payments, forcing them to interrupt or stop treatment. He noted that many therapy services are unaffordable without state support.

In response, Heena acknowledged that delays have occurred and stated that NSPA is working to resolve the issues.

Addressing the claim that children with ADHD and autism were not receiving essential medication, Heena said such medicines are provided under NSPA’s medical welfare programme. From January 2024 to 15 April 2025, MVR 1.2 million was spent under the scheme for various services, she said. If any medication is unavailable, NSPA attempts to source it upon request, she added.

Heena also addressed claims that therapy quotations submitted to NSPA are undervalued. She explained that while therapy centres charge different rates, NSPA provides fixed amounts for each type of therapy.

“If a centre charges above that rate, the excess must be paid out-of-pocket by the family,” she said.