Phuket officials arrange support for family caring for disabled man and child
A Phuket multi-agency team has arranged welfare, employment and education support for a 61-year-old woman caring for her disabled brother and six-year-old granddaughter.
A multi-agency team led by Phuket Vice Governor Romdon Hayiawae visited a vulnerable family at Phanthep Condo Town on Mae Luan Road in Phuket Town on Tuesday, July 14, after a complaint was submitted through the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office.
The family includes a 61-year-old woman who cares for her younger brother, who has multiple disabilities, and her six-year-old granddaughter, a Year 1 primary school student. Officials found that the family relies on income from small-scale sales, which is insufficient to cover daily living costs.
The woman is also undergoing ongoing treatment for a mental health condition while serving as her brother’s legal caregiver.
During the visit, the Phuket Provincial Employment Office and the Phuket Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office coordinated assistance for the family’s immediate and longer-term needs. The Employment Office arranged for outstanding debts owed to the Fund for the Promotion and Development of the Quality of Life of Persons with Disabilities to be settled. This will allow the woman to regain access to vocational funding and government welfare programmes.
Officials also provided funding for new school uniforms for the granddaughter, who previously had only one uniform and lacked financial support for school-related expenses. The woman was registered as a job seeker so employment officials can match her with suitable work. She was also registered for assistance under Section 35 of the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Act as the caregiver of a person with disabilities.
The Social Development and Human Security Office said it would continue working with relevant agencies to provide welfare support and help the family secure stable employment and income.
Mr Romdon said the visit reflected Phuket Province’s commitment to ensuring vulnerable residents can access government assistance and opportunities to become self-reliant. The family thanked officials, saying the support had eased its financial burden and given it hope of building a more stable future while continuing to care for the disabled family member and young child.
