KUWAIT: The Public Authority for Disability Affairs (DAPA) on Thursday distributed assistive devices to a number of people with disabilities, as Kuwait continues efforts to strengthen support services and improve quality of life for beneficiaries. The distribution took place at the Social Care Homes Complex in Sulaibikhat, affiliated with the Ministry of Social Affairs. Officials said the initiative is designed to enhance independence and help people with disabilities carry out their daily lives safely and effectively.
Director General Dr Dalal Al-Othman said the authority follows precise professional procedures when providing assistive devices, including wheelchairs. Beneficiaries do not simply receive a wheelchair. Each person undergoes careful measurement to ensure the device matches their condition, alongside detailed instruction on proper use, maintenance and safe movement. She added that beneficiaries are not allowed to leave until staff confirm they can use the wheelchair safely, particularly electric models. “This ensures safety and guarantees that the device genuinely improves daily mobility,” she said.
All devices are provided according to international specifications and based on recommendations from a technical committee of physical therapy specialists, Al-Othman noted. She said differences between cases make evaluation and rehabilitation an essential step in the process.
The Public Authority for Disability Affairs ha continued distributing wheelchairs to citizens.
Kuwait resumed wheelchair distribution in 2025 after a suspension that lasted several years. Acting Deputy Director General for Medical, Psychological and Social Services Dr Khalifa Al-Haila’a said the distribution of assistive devices, including wheelchairs and hearing aids, is continuing on a daily basis.
He told KUNA that each device is customized to the beneficiary’s medical, functional and rehabilitation needs through assessments conducted by specialized committees. These committees take measurements and determine the most suitable type for each individual. Al-Haila’a stressed the authority’s commitment to serve people with disabilities and ease procedures related to accessing services, describing the effort as part of a broader push to empower beneficiaries and support their integration into society.
To be eligible for a wheelchair, 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.
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. Electric wheelchairs are not provided for individuals with intellectual disabilities or for children under 15 unless deemed appropriate by the specialized technical committee. — Agencies
