President Shavkat Mirziyoyev became familiar with the conditions created at the "World of Opportunities" Regional Social Services Center in Andijan city.
Based on our country's Constitution and the strategy for social protection of the population, the scope of valuing human dignity has expanded, bringing services in this field closer to those in need. As a continuation of efforts in this direction, the President’s decree on "Further improvement of the system of social services and assistance for children with disabilities" was adopted on February 27 this year. Within the framework of its implementation, the "World of Opportunities" Regional Social Services Center was launched in Andijan for the first time.
The establishment, which spans nearly 5 hectares, includes an administration, an assembly hall, buildings for inclusive education and vocational training, a children's playground, a sports complex, and a swimming pool.
Here, social services are provided on a regular basis to children with disabilities and individuals in need of others' care. This includes social and medical rehabilitation services, vocational guidance, foreign language training services, and additional education services for children from low-income families.
More than 60 employees work at the center. Identification of those in need of social protection and their referral here is carried out by "Human" centers.
The President got acquainted with the country's first early intervention service organized here. This unit specializes in caring for babies up to three years old. Until now, children of such age were only under the care of their parents. They were only accepted into specialized kindergartens after reaching the age of 3. Now, if a risk of disability is identified during pregnancy, services will be provided to mothers in this building. This will help strengthen their attention to their children. In addition, they will be offered psychological counseling.
Our President became familiar with the conditions in the building designated for additional education services. Here, opportunities have been created for children with disabilities to engage in extracurricular activities, learn, and use the internet. Moreover, children from families in the poverty registry can also come here to learn English, Russian, Korean, and other languages.
It is worth noting that during the past year, nearly 10,000 children from low-income families in the Andijan region were placed in kindergartens, nearly 29,000 received medical assistance, and 20,000 were covered with social services. This helps them to "stand on their own feet" and become employed.
A daycare service has also been established at the center. Here, people with disabilities are engaged in physical and intellectual exercises. As a result of social workers' care, their family members' "hands are free" to work.
The citizens being cared for in this section expressed their gratitude to our state leader, stating that they have returned to life thanks to such care.
– This attention is based on your health, the worries and troubles of your loved ones. Seeing your heart open up and hope for life rekindled, I am pleased. We will continue to expand this care. All that is required from you is patience, trust, and action, – said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
The social services center also includes a sports complex. It has a gymnasium designed for children with disabilities, and a swimming pool. Notably, the exercise equipment has been imported from the USA and other foreign countries and is intended for adaptive sports. The swimming pool also has special conveniences suitable for the children's ages.
The state leader emphasized the importance of rehabilitating children with limited abilities and engaging older individuals in suitable crafts and activities.
