KUWAIT: Kuwait is resuming wheelchair distribution for people with disabilities, following a suspension that lasted several years. This initiative aims to address the basic needs of individuals with disabilities and improve their quality of life.
In a press statement published by Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Thursday, Dr Amthal Al-Huwailah, Minister of Social Affairs, Family, and Childhood Affairs, explained that this action is part of a broader plan to support the rights of people with disabilities and ensure they have access to services that enhance their well-being. She highlighted efforts to overcome previous obstacles in providing essential equipment and tools, though specific details regarding these barriers were not disclosed. Dr. Al-Huwailah emphasized the importance of cooperation with relevant authorities to ensure the continuity of these services. She also outlined plans to improve infrastructure and further develop services for people with disabilities, including providing medical equipment, training programs, and psychological and social support. Additionally, she reiterated her commitment to advancing policies and services aimed at integrating people with disabilities into society and promoting their rights.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for a wheelchair, applicants must meet certain criteria. The beneficiary must be a Kuwaiti citizen or treated as a Kuwaiti individual under a decision issued by the Ministry of Interior of Kuwait. They must also hold a disability certificate from the Public Authority for Disability Affairs that confirms the presence of a moderate or severe mobility disability, or any equivalent disabilities that require the use of a wheelchair, as confirmed by a report from the committee.
A wheelchair will be provided once every three years for those under the age of 16 and every two years for those above the age of 16. The wheelchair distribution must not conflict with any other government entity that provides similar support. Electric wheelchairs are not provided for individuals with intellectual disabilities or for children under 15 unless deemed appropriate by the specialized technical committee.
Applicants are required to submit a copy of the applicant’s civil ID, an official authorization from the disabled individual or their guardian if applying through a representative, and a recent medical report that diagnoses the condition, stating the cause of the disability and the individual’s health status.