The National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) has reported that approximately MVR 7.5 million was spent on therapeutic treatment for persons with disabilities in December 2025, with the majority of support provided to children.

According to NSPA, a total of 231 individuals received assistance for various therapies during the month, including 159 males and 72 females. Of those supported, 221 were children under the age of 18, comprising 156 boys and 65 girls, while 10 individuals aged between 18 and 64 also received therapy services.

NSPA said occupational therapy accounted for the largest share of expenditure among individual therapies. In December, 143 children received occupational therapy at a cost of MVR 2.2 million, followed by behavioural therapy for 125 children costing MVR 2.1 million, and speech therapy for 118 children amounting to MVR 1.8 million.

Educational therapy was provided to 64 children at a cost of MVR 1.1 million, while 21 children received psychotherapy costing MVR 244,650. Early intervention services were delivered to nine children at a cost of MVR 76,700, and eight children received physiotherapy, amounting to MVR 79,210.

The agency said the figures reflect continued Government support for access to essential therapy services, particularly for children with disabilities.

As part of efforts to strengthen social protection and healthcare services, the Government has launched a major initiative to expand occupational and speech therapy services to regional and atoll hospitals. In addition, a national programme to train 250 therapists has been approved, aimed at increasing service availability and reducing the need for families to travel long distances for treatment.