MUSCAT: During a media briefing on Wednesday, the Ministry of Social Development highlighted its accomplishments in 2024 and outlined future initiatives aimed at enhancing welfare and the integration of individuals with disabilities, with Dr. Laila bint Ahmed al Najjar, the Minister of Social Development, in attendance.
The Ministry disclosed that social assistance benefits totaling OMR 11,968,546 were distributed in 2024, benefiting 102,167 individuals.
Additionally, the ministry reported that from 2020 to the end of 2024, 1,635 beneficiaries received job training, with 234 of those occurring in 2024. Furthermore, between 2020 and 2025, the ministry facilitated 675 job placements in both public and private sectors for individuals from low-income families and those with disabilities, including 92 positions in 2024. The ministry also supported 86 individuals in launching home-based businesses, amounting to OMR 46,558 in total assistance.
The ministry reviewed six key objectives achieved under Oman Vision 2040 out of a total of 32, which included establishing electronic connectivity with the population database, the Central Bank of Oman, and other relevant entities.
Other goals encompassed the development of a national guide for engineering specifications related to urban environments and transportation for individuals with disabilities, the creation of quality standards for services offered to this demographic, the completion of a domestic violence intervention and referral system, the establishment of a donation platform for charitable initiatives, and the formulation of guidelines for regulating integrated early childhood centers.
During the event, Hamoud bin Murdad al Shabibi, the official spokesperson for the ministry, stated, “This media briefing reflects the ministry's commitment to showcasing its initiatives. Key topics include the ministry's organizational structure and the full automation of services for citizens, which are now delivered through advanced technical and electronic systems. The ministry is also dedicated to enhancing support for individuals with disabilities and expanding rehabilitation programs.”
One of the significant accomplishments in 2024 was the restructuring of the Ministry of Social Development, in accordance with Royal Decree No 14/2024. This development represented a significant advancement in meeting digital transformation goals, achieving a complete automation of all e-services for the ministry's beneficiaries. Additionally, five regulatory frameworks were established, and nine initiatives were launched as outcomes of the Laboratory for the Development of Services and Programs for Persons with Disabilities.
These initiatives encompass mandatory medical examination programs for prospective couples; enhancements to the newborn screening program by incorporating tests for genetic autonomic disorders; the addition of two medical check-ups at ages three and four in the child's health record; strengthening collaborations to deliver health and rehabilitation services at government centers; designating specific job roles for individuals with intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, and Down Syndrome; forming committees to address the needs of persons with disabilities in Al Dhahirah Governorate; enforcing legal measures for the employment of individuals with disabilities; implementing occupational safety and health regulations tailored for this group; and providing educational resources for students with autism spectrum disorder.
In the past year, several significant initiatives were launched, including the 'Ta'heel' platform aimed at supporting individuals with disabilities. An agreement was signed with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning to create a rehabilitation services complex for people with disabilities in Sultan Haitham City. Additionally, two mobile units were introduced to deliver rehabilitation services for children with disabilities in the wilayats of Haima and Al Jazir. Two hydrotherapy units were established at Al Wafa Centres for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities located in the wilayats of Ibri and Bahla, and a new Al Wafa Centre for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities was opened in the Wilayat of Manah. The ministry also launched the Creativity Award for Persons with Disabilities and established the Child Care and Youth Hostels Centre.
The ministry achieved first place at the Third Forum for Institutional Innovation and Change Management, prepared and reviewed the fifth and sixth national reports on the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and secured ten gold medals, four silver medals, and six bronze medals in the third boccia competition. Additionally, it claimed first place in the second boccia competition organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth. By the end of 2024, approximately 64,087 Persons with Disabilities cards had been issued.
By the end of last year, there were 119 rehabilitation centres across government, private, and community sectors, including 19 newly opened centres. From 2020 to the end of 2024, around 27,429 individuals benefited from these centres. Furthermore, a total of 28,111 prosthetic devices were distributed from 2020 to the end of 2024, with 10,795 of those provided in 2024 alone.
In the family and community development sector, the recent meeting highlighted that by the end of 2024, there were a total of 369 nurseries, which included 14 newly established nurseries that year. Additionally, childcare centers and youth hostels accommodated 74 children, with 77 children enrolled in youth hostels. Concerning juvenile matters, the Public Prosecution referred 96 juvenile offenders, while the total number of juvenile offenders referred reached 437.
The monitoring of juvenile cases amounted to approximately 563, with 32 juvenile offenders placed in a reform home and nine at-risk juveniles placed in a guidance home. Aftercare services were extended to 89 cases. The ministry also noted that 8,710 elderly individuals and their families benefited from the social services offered, including 46 elderly residents at the Al Rustaq Social Welfare Home.
In 2024, Child Protection Committees addressed the cases of 2,973 children who had experienced abuse, with 72 of these children being placed in family protection homes. Since 2020, the psychological and family counseling hotline received 1,390 incoming calls, and during 2024, 2,786 cases were provided with direct psychological and family counseling services.
