Minister of Health Ahmed Naseem has highlighted the positive results from the administration's initiatives to fight against drugs and develop treatment centres. He made the remark at the function held to mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Speaking at the function, Minister Naseem said the decision taken by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in May 2021 to transfer the National Drug Agency (NDA) under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health paved the way for the development of the weakened sector and long-term planning. As such, he said it was an important decision that opened the opportunity for the government to implement workable solutions.
Additionally, Minister Naseem noted the contributions of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in providing technical assistance to strengthen the NDA. He said that the agency, once it was transferred under the health ministry, began submitting accurate data and implementing recommendations of the relevant parliamentary committees in the planning stage, and created a culture of formulating timely reports on its efforts and current situation.
As such, Minister Naseem said that numerous studies and policies have strengthened the operation of the NDA, reduced wasteful expenditure and transformed it into a more efficient agency. He added that NDA has established relationships with many different institutions and communication has been increased.
Furthermore, Minister Naseem underscored the change in attitude towards drug treatment and said that the administration's policy is to allow individuals to receive drug treatment in their atolls instead of having to seek treatment in Male'. He said that a rehabilitation programme has begun in Kulhudhuffushi City and that the administration's policy is to introduce such services in all regions that need them.
Moreover, Minister Naseem said that drug abuse is one of the most significant social issue in the Maldives. He highlighted the developments made to rehabilitate prisoners and release them as productive members of society, as well as the rehabilitation programmes for women.
During the function, Minister Naseem received the Situational Analysis of Drugs in the Maldives 2021 report. He also introduced the new brand and logo of NDA.