President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated the role of atoll hospitals is crucial in combatting the risk of non-communicable diseases and smoking.
Speaking at the special ceremony held at Kudahuvadhoo to celebrate the golden jubilee of Dhaalu Atoll Hospital, President Solih said medical treatment has improved much since its inception in Maldives in the 1970s.
The president said one of the most notable of achievements in the field is to have completely eradicated communicable diseases from the country. The president emphasised on the extraordinary role played by the then community health workers, nurses and health practitioners. He noted there are numerous challenges to having a healthy lifestyle.
Citing statistics, President Solih stressed most Maldivians die from non-communicable diseases. In that regard, he added a collective effort is needed to reduce the risks associated with death by cancer, strokes, lung diseases and kidney diseases which are non-communicable diseases.
President Solih stressed the issue could not be solved if medicinal care is deemed to be the only solution. He emphasised to tackle the significant risk of non-communicable diseases and smoking, efforts must be made together as a community on an island scale, atoll scale and on a national level.
Highlighting the numerous challenges faced by Kudahuvadhoo in terms of developmental efforts, President Solih stressed on the need for continuous development for the progress of the island to accommodate for the growth in population.
In his speech, the president shared updates of some of the proposed developmental projects focused on Kudahuvadhoo, including the development of roads, upgraded facilities at the school, ferry terminal construction, building housing units, designated fish market and establishing more sports and recreational facilities for the youth.
During the function, the president gave away certificates to the 12 staff of Dhaalu Atoll Hospital who served the hospital for the past 25 years.
Dhaalu Atoll Hospital was initially opened as a health centre on July 21, 1969.