The National Mental Health Department and the Maldives Polytechnic have signed an MoU to conduct skills training programmes at the Special Needs Centre in Kaafu Guraidhoo.

 Deputy Minister of Health Aminath Ismail signed the agreement on behalf of the Ministry, while Chief Executive Officer Zushan Kamaluddin signed on behalf of the Maldives Polytechnic.

Under the agreement, Maldives Polytechnic will conduct a range of skills development programmes at the centre as part of a collaborative effort to support rehabilitation and reintegration. The programmes will include three-week short courses in cake making, tree planting, electrical works and photography.

The training programmes will be offered to individuals who have completed treatment, as well as those currently undergoing various treatment programmes at the centre. All courses will be provided free of charge.

There are currently 198 individuals receiving care at the Special Needs Centre in Guraidhoo. A cake-making course has already been successfully conducted at the centre in collaboration with Maldives Polytechnic. Upon completion of treatment, many individuals return to the care of their families.

In addition to skills training, the agreement also includes provisions for Maldives Polytechnic to conduct various mental health-related programmes in collaboration with the National Mental Health Department, aimed at strengthening rehabilitation services at the centre.