First Lady donates wheelchairs, walking sticks to people with disabilities

First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim has donated wheelchairs and walking sticks, to be provided to people with disabilities.

The items were accepted at a ceremony at Muleeaage this morning, by Disability Ambassador Ahmed Hishan.

Speaking at the ceremony, Hishan said that the donations would be distributed to people with disabilities, and priority would be given to islands that have filed most complaints.

“My aim is to understand the condition of people with disabilities in the islands. The government does not want them to keep filing complaints to state institutions. We want to bring their concerns to the government’s attention,” said Hishan.

Hishan also announced plans to travel to the islands to collect information on people with disabilities, and said that this information would be shared with the First Lady.

He said that the present government gives priority to adopting compassionate and humane policies, and assured that he would fully cooperate with the government in these efforts.

“Prior to this, policies were established based on the wishes of people sitting in offices. Now, the government policy is to establish and implement policies based on the wishes of people with disabilities and their families. To understand their needs, to make plans based on their needs. Past efforts have not been successful, because the policies were made without understanding their needs,” he said.

The items donated by First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim will be provided to people with disabilities in Laamu Fonadhoo, Laamu Gan, and Laamu Maabaidhoo.