Hassan Al-Sitri
Representative Jalila Al-Sayyid revealed that she had submitted a proposal seeking to disburse disability allowances to patients with multiple sclerosis and add them to the disability categories covered by the Ministry of Development.
According to the explanatory memorandum, this proposal came in response to the needs of a segment of citizens who suffer from multiple sclerosis (MS), which is a chronic neurological disease that affects the central nervous system and gradually leads to motor, sensory, and visual disabilities that affect the patient’s ability to practice his daily activities, and to continue his work, studies, or social life normally.
Despite the clear effects that the disease has on the physical, psychological and social functions of those affected, this group is not currently included in the disability categories for which monthly allocations are paid by the Ministry of Social Development, which leaves many patients without financial or social support to help them cope with the exorbitant treatment costs and ongoing care requirements.
The inclusion of multiple sclerosis patients within the supported disability categories is a humanitarian, health and legal measure, consistent with the Kingdom of Bahrain’s obligations towards the rights of persons with disabilities in accordance with Law No. (74) of 2006 regarding the care, rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities, and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and promotes the principles of social justice and equality in providing support and care to all health-affected groups.
The proposal aims to increase the national absorptive capacity to graduate scientifically qualified Bahraini nurses. The proposal aims to expand the umbrella of support to include a new category of people with disabilities, specifically multiple sclerosis patients, in a way that contributes to alleviating the suffering of patients and their families from the material and psychological burdens, including multiple sclerosis patients among the categories entitled to monthly disability allowances, reducing the financial burdens resulting from the costs of treatment and continuous care required by the disease, and improving the quality of life for multiple sclerosis patients by providing financial and moral support. Permanent, achieving equality and social justice among all groups of people with chronic disabilities in Bahrain, and enabling patients to integrate into society and work and avoid health deterioration resulting from economic pressures.
Regarding the justifications for the proposal, Representative Jalila Al-Sayyed stated that multiple sclerosis is a chronic, deteriorating neurological disease that leads to progressive disabilities that may include partial or total paralysis, loss of balance and vision, and difficulties in movement and speech. Patients require expensive medications and continuous therapeutic interventions, periodic injections, physical therapy, resonance imaging, and specialized medical follow-up. Also, many patients are unable to continue working due to complications of the disease, which puts them in a difficult living situation.
She pointed out that some international experiences indicate that patients with multiple sclerosis may have their condition counted among the categories of disability eligible for financial support, and the Bahraini legislative framework for caring for people with disabilities allows – at least in theory – the inclusion of chronic disease conditions that cause disability, which can be expanded to include patients with it.
In addition to Representative Jalila Al-Sayed, the proposal was signed by Representatives Mahdi Al-Shuwaikh, Hisham Al-Asheri, Mahmoud Fardan, and Mohsen Al-Asboul.
