Addu City, Maldives – Developing an Elderly Village in Addu City is in the plans for this year, revealed President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
The announcement came during the Presidential address at the Parliament today, where President Solih talked about safeguarding the vulnerable persons within the community. As such, he highlighted that there were children who endured physical and psychological abuse at the hands of their care takers, while in state custody, and that these issues are currently being investigated.
I believe that safeguarding victims from abuse and ensuring that they live in safety and peace is a fundamental aspect of good governance. When my administration came into government, there were children under state care housed in vulnerable conditions at the shelters located in Kudakudhinge Hiyaa, Villimale’ and Fiyavathi, Hulhumale’. Some of these children have endured physical and psychological abuse at the hands of their caretakers. These cases are currently under investigation.
Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, President of the Republic of Maldives
Revealing the work being done to develop favorable conditions for such children, the President recalled the efforts initiated in 2020 to ensure that all children raised in state care are brought up in social and familial settings. Detaining, he stated that 51 children have since been relocated to safe facilities in Eydhafushi of Baa Atoll, Funadhoo of Shaviyani Atoll and in Fuvahmulah City.
He also mentioned efforts to convene work on establishing a Disability Management and Rehabilitation Center, along with a Child Development Center in Hulhumalé Hospital, as well as an Elderly Village in Addu.
God willing, this year, we shall convene work on establishing a Disability Management and Rehabilitation Centre to integrate services offered for people with disabilities under one roof. At the same time, we are working on setting up a Child Development Centre in Hulhumale’ Hospital to provide therapy for children with special needs. In order to enable dignified lives for our senior citizens, we aim to begin work on the new Elderly Village in Addu Atoll this year.
Currently there limited facilities and establishments to provide care and rehabilitation for the vulnerable, in the Maldives.
