Ministry of Social Development working to empower social security families

Muscat: The minister of social development spoke on Sunday regarding the situation for families on social security and the ministry’s work on improving their situation.
H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Said Bin Saif Al Kalbani spoke about the ministry’s strategies in upholding Oman’s social development for the years 2016-2025, which include opening a dedicated autism centre in the coming years.
According to His Excellency, the strategy works on developing social work by empowering certain segments of the community, which leads to individuals enjoying expanded rights in receiving social services of a high quality. He added that in 2011, social security benefits were modified and increased, and that the ministry is working to improve the situation for families under social security programmes by giving scholarships and training opportunities.
Children in the autism spectrum can be diagnosed by specialists, after which specialized programmes are tailored for them, followed by rehabilitation in order to insure a happy life for these children. Currently, children can join 50 rehabilitation centres, but the ministry began building a dedicated autism centre in al khoudh, which can house 200 persons.
As for children who had been abandoned or with unknown parents, as well as children with unable parents, the ministry takes care of them by providing for them in childhood centres.
According to Al Kalbani, the ministry has an important role to play in integrating children in care homes into society, in coordination with higher education institutes as well as other training opportunities. Youths are also given seminars and marriage workshops in order to be taught about the importance of choosing a life partner. Some of these youths are also given housing units after they receive work.
The ministry is also working with the private sector in order to finance social projects and programmes, including the national autism centre in Muscat, as well as three autism units in Sohar, Salalah, and Sur.
Women empowerment societies also have a role to play, according to His Excellency. He explained. In the coming period, the thinking of these societies need to move past traditional activities and more towards scientific, specialised programmes which align with the needs of societies. He said that Omani society “is a mature and educated society that understands exactly what is required of community institutions, whether they be Omani women associations or charitable organisations or career societies.”
— With inputs from Oman News Agency