National Drug Agency (NDA) has opened a drug treatment and rehabilitation centre for women in Hulhumale' as part of the efforts to find a sustainable solution to the drug problem in the Maldives.
The halfway centre was inaugurated by the Minister of the President's Office and Vice Chairman of the Social Council Dr. Mustafa Lutfi at a special ceremony.
NDA has already run a similar centre previously. However, the centre was closed due to poor operation and reopened with the assistance of Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC).
Speaking at the opening ceremony for the centre, CEO of NDA Imad Solih said the responsibility of the agency is broader although it was previously perceived as just a drug treatment centre. He said the agency is currently working on implementing that responsibility and will see many changes soon.
During the ceremony, CEO of MTCC Adam Azim assured to always be at the forefront of the efforts to protect the country from drugs. He said MTCC is ready to provide any assistance requested by the Ministry of Health.
Meanwhile, Board Chairman of NDA and Deputy Minister of Health Shamau Shareef said the programmes to be implemented at the halfway centre have been identified and the necessary staff have been recruited and trained.
The halfway centre in Hulhumale' will provide treatment in collaboration with many institutions. The centre will be able to accommodate 20 individuals at a time and the necessary doctors, councillors and other administrative staff have already been recruited. Urgent treatment can be arranged through Hulhumale' Hospital and the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) if further treatment is required. At the same time, the halfway centre will also provide aftercare services to drug addicts even after they have fully recovered. The centre will commence services this week, according to NDA.