Discussions are underway on establishing a medical school in the country, the Health Ministry says.
The Maldives National University (MNU) provides education in the fields of family health, midwifery, nursing and primary healthcare, in addition to other healthcare related fields. The country, however, does not have a specialised facility that provide medical education for physicians or medical doctors. Local doctors are educated and trained abroad at specialised facilities, or Medical Schools, in countries such as Nepal, India and Pakistan.
Some local doctors have also received their medical education at facilities in Europe and other parts of South East Asia, where studies in the profession are in no way cheap. In a bid to introduce education and training for physicians, the Government is currently discussing plans to establish a Medical School, which will allow prospective-medical students to undertake their studies at home.
Director General of Health Services Dr. Sheeza Ali said plans on developing a Medical School have yet to be been finalised, due to the high expenditure of such an endeavor.
Discussions are however underway on seeking ways to provide education and training for physicians and medical doctors. Dr. Sheeza added that the Government is currently developing the plans with MNU, where Hulhumale is in the books as a possible location for the proposed-Medical School.