Minister of Health Dr. Abdulla Khaleel has stated that the government is working to establish a system to ensure that health facilities do not run out of consumables and reagents. The minister made the statement while responding to parliamentarian inquiries.
Minister Khaleel noted that running out of consumables or equipment, reagents or substances used to conduct tests is a recurring problem at hospitals and health centres nationwide. Hence, he stated that the administration is working to solve the problem by providing the facilities with continuous supply with the help of the State Trading Organisation (STO).
The minister also disclosed that there were pending payments of USD 19.5 million to STO as health services expenditure when they took office. He stated that the administration has now made most of the pending payments.
Additionally, he also stated that the government is working with the private sector to address the issue of limited supply. As such, he disclosed that a special software is being developed to identify the shortages and needs in hospitals and health centres in islands.