The number of disabled in the Kingdom has reached 720,000, roughly 4 percent of the Saudi population, according to the Social Affairs representative in Madinah.
Dr. Salah Al-Sayed said it during a workshop to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Al-Sayed said car accidents are one of the main reasons for disability. About 140,000 people are injured in car accidents all over the world with more than 3,000 killed and 15,000 disabled, he said. Other factors for disability include malnutrition, inherited factors, environment pollution, misuse of medications, exposure to radiation and a lack of health awareness, he added.
He said the Ministry of Social Affairs received the disabled in 36 rehabilitation centers all over the country. The Madinah center is now introducing rehabilitation services to more than 700 disabled children.
“About 500 cases (people with disabilities) recovered after treatment at the center since its inception. Other ministry services include equipment (given to disabled individuals) and financial assistance ranging from SR 4,000 to SR 20,000 annually.
The ministry spends a total amount of about SR 1.6 billion annually for the benefit of the disabled. Those rehabilitated at all centers in the country number 11,645," he said.
