Ministry says support is provided through stakeholders after mother raises concerns on more support needed

The Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection says they do not work alone in providing services for persons with disabilities, as support is delivered in collaboration with key stakeholders.

They say that they have responded to the request they received six months ago from Sonia Shanaaz regarding the type of assistance available to support her daughter, Aarna who has cerebral palsy.

The Ministry says that they have informed her of the various support services available to her and her daughter, and since then, Ministry officials have engaged with the family and conducted relevant assessments to ensure that appropriate assistance and information are provided.

This is after Shanaaz highlighted on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan that silent treatment hurts as the Ministry had visited her last week but nothing has developed since then.

The Ministry says Aarna is currently a recipient under the Disability Allowance Scheme, which includes a transport allowance of $135.

They say she is also attending the Frank Hilton Special School, where she receives speech therapy and physiotherapy services free of charge.

They say that for children with disabilities, the Ministry works closely with the Ministry of Education and relies on the specialised expertise of the Frank Hilton Organisation for education and early-intervention services.

In this case, the Frank Hilton Organisation has provided the child with a modified wheelchair suited to her condition.

Officials have also engaged with Frank Hilton, which has confirmed that the family has been supported through grants provided by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

Furthermore, the Government has budget allocations across relevant ministries to assist persons living with disabilities, ensuring that support is available to meet the nature of requests for assistance, including healthcare, transport, education, and financial support.

The Ministry says its officers have conducted a case assessment to explore further assistance through the Economic Empowerment Programmes.

They say these programmes aim to strengthen financial security for families and support caregivers so they can continue to care for their loved ones.

The Ministry will continue to liaise with Shanaaz to discuss her eligibility for assistance targeted at improving her current income.

The Ministry highlights that it adopts an integrated approach to supporting vulnerable individuals and families, ensuring coordination across ministries and partner organisations to provide holistic and effective support.

The Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection adds that it remains committed to working with families, communities, and stakeholders to build a more inclusive Fiji for persons living with disabilities.