President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has approved a nationwide initiative to train Maldivians as professional therapists, marking a major step toward expanding essential disability services across the country, particularly in underserved islands.
The Ministry of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development announced that the project will train 250 Maldivian therapists, with the programme scheduled to begin in January next year. The initiative will focus on building national capacity in speech therapy, occupational therapy, behavioural therapy, and psychotherapy, areas where the Maldives has long faced critical shortages.
The government says the programme directly addresses longstanding gaps in access to specialised therapeutic care, especially outside Malé. These services are essential for individuals with disabilities and are particularly vital for children experiencing developmental challenges. Limited human resources have historically prevented the consistent delivery of therapy services across the atolls, creating inequality in access to care.
Under President Muizzu’s broader social development agenda, the administration has already begun decentralising therapy services. Over the past two years, specialised therapeutic care has been introduced in several atolls, easing the burden on families who previously had to travel to the capital for treatment.
The financial impact of the shortage is also significant. According to the National Protection Agency, the state spent MVR 12.4 million on therapy services for persons with disabilities in just one month. During this period, 342 children under the age of 18 received therapeutic care, along with 17 individuals aged between 18 and 64.
A breakdown of expenditure shows that behavioural therapy accounted for the highest cost, totalling MVR 3.5 million, underscoring the urgent need to develop a sustainable, locally trained workforce.
By investing in Maldivian professionals and expanding services beyond the capital, the Muizzu administration is positioning the country toward a more inclusive, equitable healthcare system, one that ensures children and persons with disabilities receive timely, life-changing support regardless of where they live.
