YK Poudel

With 15 MPs voting “Yes” on the recommendations made by the Social and Cultural Affairs Committee (SCAC), on the state of persons with disabilities (PWDs), the National Council (NC) has adopted the proposal.

Only eight MPs voted for “No”. The report will now be submitted to the government.

Lack of a centralized database for PWDs, their economic status, lack of PWD’s friendly facilities and infrastructures, accessible transportation and trained caregivers are among many pressing challenges facing PWDs in Bhutan.

Moreover, the Committee findings stated that there is a high prevalence of stigmatization and discrimination of persons with disabilities.

Deputy chairperson of the Committee and MP for Gasa, Tshering, presented the final recommendations. A total of 35 recommendations in eight areas to complement the government’s efforts and ensure a more inclusive and equitable society for Bhutanese citizens were proposed.

The proposals include strengthening policy implementation, improving access to education and healthcare, raising public awareness, and ensuring nationwide accessibility, among others.

As per the National Health Survey 2023 approximately 48,000 individuals with disabilities, a significant rise from over 15,000 recorded in the Population and Housing Census of Bhutan (PHCB) in 2017.

Globally, the World Health Organization reports that there are 1.3 billion people with disabilities.

According to the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) and SEN Division of the Department of School Education, there are 1,071 children with disabilities (666 males and 405 females) in schools across the country.

The maximum number of children with disabilities in schools are in Thimphu (275), Paro (223), Chukha (85), Samtse (64), Gelephu (53), 14 schools have less than 50 CWDs, with Gasa (2) recording the lowest number of students.

Although inclusive schools are supposed to have a separate budget for inclusive education activities, none of the 17 schools have received this.

In the 13th Plan, the government has allocated Nu 1,115 million to support inclusive education programmes.

Similarly, the health ministry has allocated Nu 720.7 million to support programmes for PWDs.

Besides vision, hearing, mobility, communication, self-care, and cognition, NHS 2023  added cognition disability, encompassing intellectual and learning disabilities such as ADHD, dyslexia, Down syndrome, mental illnesses, brain injuries, and dementia among the various forms of disabilities.

Bhutan’s recognition of disability encompasses long-term impairments—physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory—which, combined with environmental barriers, hinder full and equal participation.

Recommendations from the Committee includes housing allotments for persons with disabilities, disability allowances, prioritising investment in Special Educational Needs teachers, reserving designated government positions for persons with disabilities, and exploring options for affordable transportation beyond Thimphu.

The Committee’s recommendations focus on enhancing UNCRPD and policy implementation, inclusive education, health outreach and early intervention, economic security, and accessibility.

Key proposals include centralised data collection, stakeholder awareness and engagement, local government funding, inclusive decision-making, an online disability resource center, and expanding affordable public transportation options beyond Thimphu.

The 13th Plan has allocated a budget of Nu 1.1 million to support inclusive education programmes, including teacher training, building disabled-friendly infrastructure, and training Paralympic athletes.

The Constitution mandates the State to provide security in the event of sickness and disability.

The National Policy for Persons with Disabilities (NPPD), adopted in 2019, aims to improve access to education, health, justice, and protection services, emphasising empowerment and participation in political and socioeconomic development.

As a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) since 2010, Bhutan ratified the convention in October 2023, becoming the 191st member to formally protect the human rights of people with disabilities.