Probe seeking whether children of elderly man living alone in Faresmaathoda were negligent

North Galolhu MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudoo) has formally asked Minister of Social and Family Development Geela Ali to clarify several issues concerning the delayed state intervention in the case of an elderly man living alone in dire conditions in GDh. Faresmaathoda, including whether his children were investigated for possible negligence.

The elderly man was transferred to state care on August 22, through joint efforts of the Faresmaathoda Police Station, the Faresmaathoda Council and the Social and Family Development Ministry.

Faresmaathoda Council president Mohamed Sobah told Sun on Tuesday morning that the elderly man was in poor health, and had been living alone in dire conditions for years.

A local resident who spoke on condition of anonymity told Sun that the elderly man had family, including children, none of whom helped him.

In a letter to Minister Geela, Kudoo said that an elderly person having to endure such neglect for two years, coupled with the delay in state intervention due to a lack of space at the Home for People with Special Needs in K. Guraidhoo, points to significant shortcomings in the country’s social protection system.

Accordingly, he requested the Minister to provide clarification on several matters.

In particular, the MP questioned what steps have been taken to expand capacity at facilities for people with special needs and why no policy is in place to provide temporary caregivers when there is no available space at such facilities.

He also asked whether the Ministry has referred cases to relevant authorities for legal action against children who neglect their parents. In addition, he questioned why a long-term support system for the elderly has not yet been established despite the country’s growing elderly population.

Kudoo further sought details on the proportion of the social protection budget allocated specifically for the elderly and questioned the absence of a system to identify elderly people living in vulnerable circumstances.

Although Sun journalists previously sought a response from the Ministry of Social and Family Development regarding the matter, the Ministry has yet to provide an official response.