Bahrain is to pump BD34 million ($90 million) over two years into improving the lives of disabled people. Plans include disabled-friendly factories to help them get work, better education opportunities, special care centres and their own sports complex.

The government will allocate BD18 million in next year's national budget and BD16 million in 2010, Social Development Minister Dr Fatima Al Balooshi announced yesterday, as she launched the first national report on the disabled.

It assesses fundamental needs for the economic empowerment and social integration of handicapped people and will be released every three years.

Two similar reports relating to children and the elderly will also be issued.

'The two-year, BD34 million package reflects the government's keenness to ensure proper care for this vulnerable social category,' Dr Al Balooshi told a press conference.

A palsy care centre will be built in Muharraq and a series of financial support initiatives will be launched to ensure training and rehabilitation for the disabled at private enterprises.

The Education Ministry pledged 52 scholarships for disabled students, plus education places for 1,451 others.

A sports hall and other facilities will be built by the General Organisation for Youth and Sports and financial aid for the Bahrain Disabled Sports Association will be increased.

The Industry and Commerce Ministry will set up 'disabled-friendly factories and the Municipalities and Agriculture Ministry will equip public gardens with games for handicapped children.'

The Labour and Health ministries have also pledged to launch a series of initiatives, including health insurance and other support.-TradeArabia News Service