Maldives in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) has conducted a national workshop on development of the National Assistive Products List (APL) of Maldives.
Speaking at the inauguration of the workshop, the Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim said the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) in partnership with the WHO have conducted an extensive survey to compile an essential list of items required by people with disabilities, adding that the government, in line with international policies will continue to address the needs of Maldivian society.
"There are situations where you need help because of aging, birth defects and life’s other circumstances. And when you develop a list of products and inventions that alleviate those disabilities, you have to take into account the local community as well,” he explained.
Speaking at the ceremony, NSPA’s CEO Heena Waleed said the list will pave the way for the provision of tools to help people with disabilities to ease some of their daily struggles, adding that the product list is being compiled taking Maldivian society into account.
"Assistive products are designed to meet the needs of individuals with physical, sensory, critical thinking, memory and other impairments. The purpose of such a list is to enable authorities to design policies according to the present situation and the disability classifications,” she explained.
Heena said the public needs to be aware of the changes in technology to maintain their health and welfare along with familiarising with new innovations needed by people with disabilities.
NSPA said the primary objective of compiling a list of assistive products for people with disabilities is to ensure that quality assistive products are available at affordable prices to those in need. The list also aims to facilitate the optimal use of available resources and easy access to such products.