Muscat – The Ministry of Social Development (MoSD) and Oman Investment Authority (OIA) signed a funding agreement on Tuesday to establish a rehabilitation centre for people with autism spectrum disorder in Dakhliyah.

The centre will be built on an area of 4,550sqm and accommodate up to 120 autistic cases. The total project cost is estimated at RO2.3mn.

The initiative is in response to Royal Directives of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to assess the needs of governorates for specialised autism centres and develop a timeline for establishing such facilities based on the number of cases in each governorate.

Under the agreement, a group of companies affiliated with the OIA will finance the construction of the centre.

Dr Abdullah bin Hamoud Al Harthy, Undersecretary in MoSD, said the agreement will facilitate implementation of the Royal directives aimed at enhancing services provided to individuals with autism spectrum disorder across the sultanate.

He noted that the project marks an important step in advancing the system of specialised services by expanding their scope and improving their efficiency in line with internationally recognised best practices, while ensuring an inclusive environment that meets the needs of individuals with autism and their families.

Al Harthy added that the agreement demonstrates the ministry’s commitment to enhancing quality of life and promoting community empowerment for persons with disabilities through integrated services that include educational and rehabilitation programmes, enabling them to develop their abilities and actively participate in society.

He also emphasised that the agreement represents an effective model of partnership between the public and private sectors, strengthening cooperation to support sustainable social initiatives and creating an enabling environment that ensures equal opportunities and promotes the principles of equity and social inclusion for persons with disabilities.

The facility aims to enhance care services and improve the quality of rehabilitation services provided to individuals with autism spectrum disorder in Dakhliyah, while expanding the range of services available to them and their families.

The centre will provide a comprehensive package of specialised services, including integrated rehabilitation programmes, recreational activities, temporary care services, as well as diagnostic and assessment services, contributing to improving the quality of life of individuals with autism and supporting their integration into society.