An agreement has been signed between the National Mental Health Department and the Maldives Polytechnic to conduct skills training programmes at the Special Needs Centre in Guraidhoo, Kaafu Atoll.
The Special Needs Centre in Guraidhoo is currently run by the Ministry of Health. Deputy Minister of Health Aminath Ismail signed the agreement on behalf of the ministry, while Polytechnic was represented by its Chief Executive Officer Zooshan Kamaluddin.
Under the agreement, various programmes of mutual assistance will be implemented between the two institutions. Polytechnic will conduct various skills development programmes at the Special Needs Centre, including three-week short courses in cake making, gardening, electrical works and photography. These programmes will be offered free of charge to those who have completed the centre’s treatment programme and those who are currently enrolled in treatment programmes.
Under the agreement, various mental health programmes will also be conducted at Maldives Polytechnic.
There are currently 198 people being cared for at the Special Needs Centre. In the past, a cake-making course conducted in collaboration with the Polytechnic was successfully completed. Many return to their families after completing treatment.