5 days ago
Better support mooted for individuals with disabilities in Oman
Muscat – As part of its ongoing efforts to support and empower individuals with disabilities, the Ministry of Social Development held a consultative meeting on Tuesday with representatives from government, private and community-based rehabilitation centres.
The meeting aimed to highlight the ministry's role in enhancing services for persons with disabilities, while also addressing the main challenges facing rehabilitation centres and exploring ways to strengthen cooperation and unified action among all stakeholders.
Discussions during the meeting focused on the various services and programmes provided by the Department of Persons with Disabilities. These include the issuance of disability identification cards, the provision of assistive devices and supportive equipment, and access to rehabilitation services at specialised centres.
Participants reviewed the key obstacles faced by rehabilitation centres and put forward a number of development proposals aimed at improving the quality of services offered. The discussions also emphasised the importance of greater coordination to ensure more comprehensive support and care for individuals with disabilities across the country.
According to the ministry, a total of 119 rehabilitation centres comprising government, private and community-based institutions were operating in Oman by the end of 2024. Of these, 19 centres were newly established during that year. The number of beneficiaries reached 8,893 individuals. Additionally, the ministry distributed 10,795 assistive devices in 2024, while the number of individuals issued a 'Person with Disability' card stood at 64,087 till the end of the year.
