Parents have staged a peaceful protest over the growing issue of lack of medication for children with disabilities.

The peaceful protest was held on Saturday evening at a time when the issue of the current administration’s negligence towards persons with disabilities has heated up. The protest was carried out on Saturday evening from 4:30pm to 6pm at the Artificial Beach region.

Speaking to RaajjeMV after the protest wrapped up, a parent of a child with disabilities stressed that the current administration is “not doing enough” to secure the rights of persons with disabilities.

Parents who took part in the protest also highlighted that the special protection and financial assistance arrangements mandated by law for the state to provide to children with disabilities are inadequate. They also said that while proper therapy is not available for children with disabilities in the Maldives, challenges have been surfacing in traveling abroad for treatment as well.

Speaking to RaajjeMV, another parent highlighted that they have spoken to relevant government authorities about the government's negligence in providing medical care for persons with disabilities.

The parent went on to note that the issue remains unresolved. However, the parent said it was very disappointing that the emergency motion submitted regarding government neglect towards children with disabilities was rejected without being brought to the parliament floor.

46 parents have submitted a petition to the People’s Majlis, accusing the government of negligence towards children with disabilities. The petition requests an investigation into why the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) is unable to provide the financial assistance and special protection that the state is required to provide children with disabilities.