The National Parents’ Society for Persons with Disabilities (NPSPD), member of COFACE Disability based in Malta, stated in its media release on 10th February 2025 that they are deeply shocked and outraged by the findings regarding the appalling living conditions in Fondazzjoni Wens’ residences for persons with disabilities.
The accounts of neglect, including squalid living conditions, safety hazards, and the presence of human waste on walls, represent a gross violation of the dignity and basic rights of the residents.
As an organisation that advocates for the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities, they demand immediate and transparent action from all responsible authorities. It is unacceptable that individuals entrusted with the care of vulnerable persons failed so egregiously in their duty, leading to this distressing situation.
They call on:
1. The Social Care Standards Authority to provide full disclosure regarding the inspection findings and the specific failures that led to the intervention.
2. The Government to ensure rigorous oversight of all residential homes for persons with disabilities, with unannounced inspections and clear accountability measures.
3. A thorough investigation into the governance of Fondazzjoni Wens, including the alleged nepotism and mismanagement, to prevent such abuses from happening again.
4. An immediate care plan to restore safety, dignity, and quality of life for the 43 residents affected by this scandal.
“We stand in solidarity with the residents and their families, who have been let down by a system that should have protected them. This crisis is a wake-up call for all stakeholders in the disability sector to not shelve deinstitutionalisation. We also urge the government to collaborate with parents, disability advocates, and professionals to implement policies that guarantee proper safeguarding, dignity, and inclusion for all persons with disabilities who are currently in residential care.”
More here.
