Critical changes need to be brought for differently-abled members of society: pres.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said that he believes many changes need to be brought about by the government with focus on the differently-abled citizens of Maldivian society.

He made the remarks while answering questions from members of the public on the "Baajjaveri Hendhuneh" programme hosted by Dhivehiraajjeyge Adu.

Speaking on the programme, the president said that he believed that efforts needed to be made to make up for the clear negligence in dealing with the issues related to differently-abled people.

Taking an example from recent weeks, the president recognized the lack of disability-access to the stage at the event held in Republic Square on Saturday night to distribute National Awards and commemorate National Unity Day.

The president also expressed his commitment to bring changes to the government's undertakings to phase out such harmful and outdated inaccessibility, noting that current road development projects took into account improving convenience for differently-abled individuals so that they could also gain utility from public roads.

President Solih requested that differently-abled individuals not give up hope as the government is working to help them live more dignified lives by opening up services and facilities through more disability-friendly guidelines and infrastructure.

Gender Minister Aishath Mohamed Didi recently revealed that the ministry was working on a project to make services more accessible to differently-abled people in the Maldives under the same roof through their "Disability Management and Rehabilitation Center," as part of the Solih administration’s efforts to improve the quality of life for citizens living with disabilities in the Maldives.