Govt to establish central therapy centre in Hulhumale, island branches
The President said construction of the centre is scheduled to begin in the middle of this year.
President Mohamed Muizzu on Thursday announced that a National Disability Service and Therapy Centre will be established in Hulhumalé to provide multiple therapy services at a single location.
The announcement was made during the presidential address at the opening sitting of Parliament. The President said construction of the centre is scheduled to begin in the middle of this year.
He said the centre will be established under the name National Disability Service and Therapy Centre and will serve as a central facility for therapy services. In addition, branches will be opened in other islands.
President Muizzu said the establishment of the centres will include a review of the current coverage of therapy costs under the Aasandha health insurance scheme. Following the review, a portion of the costs will be covered to ensure that certain services are provided free of charge.
He said that once the centres are operational, therapy costs from 1 January this year will be reviewed, and a defined percentage of expenses will be allocated to provide services without charge.
The President noted that while the health sector in the Maldives provides a wide range of services, there is a shortage of trained personnel, particularly in therapy services. To address this, a national programme to train Maldivian therapists will be launched in March.
According to the President, the programme will include degree-level courses conducted locally and is expected to train 250 therapists. Employment agreements will be signed with graduates of the programme.
In the interim, the President said 50 therapists will be recruited from overseas within the next six months to improve access to therapy services.
