Parliament has rejected a motion submitted today stating that the government is being negligent towards children with disabilities in providing them protection, treatment and financial assistance.
The motion was submitted by opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP for North Galolhu Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu).
In his motion, he stated that children with disabilities are afforded special protection by law, but despite their being laws governing this, it is not being effectively implemented.
It reads that National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) has been negligent in providing such children with the required protection and financial aid.
As such, although ways in which therapy services will be provided to such children was determined in 2019, parents of such children have been forced to pay out of pocket for therapy over the past year, it said.
It said that with the increase in therapy fees and long queues, many children are being deprived from necessary therapy services.
The motion, however, was rejected with 44 members of ruling People's National Congress (PNC) voting against it. Only 12 MPs voted in favour of accepting the motion.