First Lady Fazna Ahmed officially inaugurated the Disability Management and Rehabilitation Centre in Hulhumalé on Sunday. The centre, located in the Orange Hiya Building and managed by Hulhumalé Hospital, also houses the Infectious Disease Management Centre.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the First Lady stated that the launch of the new centre signifies a considerable progression in delivering comprehensive services. She also noted that establishing the adult-focused centre would alleviate the worries of parents whose children under 18 were undergoing therapy at the Child Development Centre at Hulhumalé Hospital.
Emphasising the significance of delivering a more holistic service experience to individuals with disabilities, the First Lady stressed the importance of both individual and societal responsibilities in enhancing the experiences of people with disabilities receiving services, particularly in terms of mobility and access. She also underscored the necessity of utilising communication techniques better suited for all people with disabilities, through which infomercials could be tailored to the audience.
The First Lady also emphasised that the administration has enabled individuals with disabilities to lead happier and more prosperous lives, citing the increase in disability allowance, the introduction of free therapeutic services, and the expansion of service delivery centres focused on serving people with disabilities. She also noted that the administration has provided opportunities for disabled athletes to participate in international sporting events, where their success has been consistently increasing, and has fostered sportsmanship among them.
The Disability Management and Rehabilitation Centre, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, will operate under the auspices of Hulhumalé Hospital. The newly inaugurated facility, staffed by seven physiotherapists, will provide services to individuals with permanent disabilities and those who have experienced temporary impairments due to unfortunate circumstances, accidents, or strokes.
The centre will operate daily from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., except Fridays and public holidays. Additionally, the administration has coordinated with Raajje Transport Link (RTL) to provide bus services to the facility by incorporating it into their existing routes.