The Ministry of Social Development today organized a media briefing during which it reviewed key achievements made, as well as indicators, plans and future aspirations of its sectors.
Dr. Laila Ahmed Al Najjar, Minister of Social Development, said that the ministry provided support to as many as 82,215 cases within the Social Security Scheme and the Low-Income Segment.
As many as52,455 cases were registered with the segment of People with Disabilities, said the minister, adding that achievements in the this segment include the opening of the National Autism Centre and the development of 33 social assistance initiatives through the Laboratory for Development of Services and Programmes for People with Disabilities.
The minister explained that 124 specialists were appointed in the fields of autism services that include rehabilitation, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and vocational training. Also, as many as 7,897 people benefited from the prosthetic devices and supportive services provi
ded to people with disabilities last year, the minister explained.
She added that 42 cases of support were provided to needy people with the segment of ‘Family Development and Empowerment Programme’ to enable them to open household projects during 2023.
Financial support worth RO 24,000, said the minister, who took pride in the launch of the ‘Maksab’ (Gains) electronic platform to support self-employed families and the opening of local temporary marketing outlets for self-employed families and other groups in local and international exhibitions.
The Ministry of Social Development also carried out 2,202 campaigns to combat begging during 2023 (during which 156 people were arrested), as well as media campaigns to address the phenomena of bullying among children and violence against women.
Speaking about ‘future initiatives and plans’, the minister said that a system is being developed to offer social support during early childhood through integration among specialized centres.
Quoting statistics, the minis
ter said that 355 nurseries operated within social support programmes until the end of 2023 and that the number of children enrolled therein stood at 9,018. The Ministry also conducts periodic follow-up on unlicensed nurseries and takes legal action against offending parties, to help protect the community from malpractices.
Source: Oman News Agency