Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim has said that the current standard of Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) paves the way to form a medical college in the country.
The Minister noted that the main obstacles in further improving and developing the country's health sector is the lack an institute to train local doctors within the country. He said the government aims to enable means to provide trainings for local doctors without leaving the country.
While the Minister made the remark, Maldives National University and Higher Education Department are currently working diligently to establish a medical college in the country. The work to secure funds through the state budget and gain technical and financial assistance through institutes of neighboring countries are also ongoing as part of the endeavor to establish the country's first ever medical college.
Government is also conducting relevant research required to establish the medical college. Much momentum has been gained in this endeavor so far. A survey conducted by a Pakistani government shows that there is the probability of establishing a medical college in the Maldives.
80% of doctors and 60% of nurses working in the country are expatriates, according to the Health Ministry. The Ministry notes that lack of availability of placement from international institutes hinders efforts to create more local professional in the field of medicine.