Minister of Health Dr. Abdulla Khaleel has announced that studies are currently underway to resume telemedicine services, which facilitate virtual consultations with doctors outside the islands.
In a special segment on PSM News, Minister Khaleel emphasized the President's commitment to ensuring continuous healthcare access across all islands. He noted that the government is focused on introducing innovative changes to the healthcare system, including building new hospitals, launching new services, and enhancing the quality of existing ones.
Highlighting the importance of the health sector, which directly impacts every citizen in the Maldives, the minister stated that providing healthcare in islands without doctors is essential. Although telemedicine initiatives have been attempted in the past, they were unsuccessful due to insufficient training and inadequate internet connectivity at that time.
Dr. Khaleel confirmed that efforts are now underway to revive telemedicine services, with studies being conducted to support this initiative. He noted that most islands now have access to 5G services or fibber optic connections, which are crucial for the effective implementation of telemedicine.
The goal of reintroducing telemedicine is to offer health services that may not be available locally, allowing patients to access specialists without needing to travel to health centres. This development will provide significant convenience for many who previously travelled abroad for medical treatment, enabling them to consult with overseas specialists at a lower cost.