The government has launched a new initiative aimed at addressing the social needs and wellbeing of bedridden senior citizens. The programme was officially inaugurated by the Minister of Social and Family Development, Dr Aishath Shiham.
Under this initiative, government teams will visit bedridden elderly individuals in their homes on a monthly basis. The visits are designed to bring joy and comfort for the elderly, and identifying the social support required by them and their families. The programme will see the involvement of young people.
Minister Aishath Shiham stated that the programme is one of the social programmes conducted by the government, on the instruction of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. This initiative will pave the way for the effective identification of social needs, and ensure the provision of social assistance needed for the bedridden and their families, she said.
"The purpose of this programme is fulfil the social needs of bedridden senior citizens and ensure they receive assistance, and ensuring that they are an active part of the society,” the Minister said.
The government has already launched a special programme “Haalu Kihineh?” to directly engage with the public. The Ministry of Social and Family Development has so far visited more than 12,000 households to assess social conditions under the programme.