MLSD conducts periodic inspection and monitoring of "disabled" service centers

12-07-2020

Mrs Jalila Al Sayed Salman Shubar, Head of Special Needs Services Department at the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, confirmed that the Ministry has intensified monitoring and inspection visits to private rehabilitation centres operating in the disability sector to verify full compliance with the health precautionary requirements introduced to curb the spread of Coronavirus (Covid‑19). The intensified oversight follows the resumption of programmes, activities and individual rehabilitation sessions, which are being delivered in cooperation with the Bahraini community to reinforce the principle of community partnership. She underlined that inspections will be carried out on both a periodic and random basis; any centre found in breach of the approved controls will be cited for a violation and subjected to the requisite legal measures. The administrative circular issued recently by His Excellency, the Minister of Labour and Social Development, governs the resumption of operations in private disability centres and sets out the essential health safeguards needed to ensure a safe environment for students and staff. Core stipulations include daily sterilisation and disinfection of premises, placement of sanitisers at entrances and throughout the facilities, upkeep of cleanliness and ventilation, mandatory sterilisation of shared tools and devices before and after use, adherence to social‑distancing norms and obligatory mask wearing; individuals presenting a body temperature above 37.5 degrees Celsius are barred from entry. Mrs Shubar noted that fifteen volunteers from the National Campaign to Combat Coronavirus have been seconded to support inspection activities. These volunteers received targeted training on inspection procedures, including the proper completion of evaluation forms during the pilot phase, and were equipped with new skills to refine their talents and deepen their commitment to voluntary work. She expressed her appreciation for the dedication and cooperation shown by the volunteers and the Ministry’s supervisory team, particularly during these exceptional circumstances.