Minister of Health Ahmed Naseem has stated the Maldives is making significant strides in the decentralisation of healthcare services, with the help of multiple projects launched to develop healthcare services in the atolls.
In a video message published on the occasion of World Health Day, Health Minister Naseem noted establishing high-quality healthcare services in all parts of the Maldives is a major challenge due to the geographical formation of the country. However, the minister said the government is undertaking several crucial projects to upgrade the healthcare services in the atolls and reduce the dependency on the capital, Male’ for healthcare. As such, he highlighted the ongoing projects to upgrade health centres in 12 islands to hospitals, and the development of tertiary hospitals in five regions across the country.
Speaking further, Minister Naseem revealed plans to commence a primary healthcare project, which aims to address the health and well-being of all individuals using a whole-of-society approach. He noted the project will see teams of healthcare professionals working closely with the public to provide a high-quality service.
In his message, the health minister also highlighted the ongoing nationwide inoculation drive to safeguard the population against COVID-19. The minister stated health records collected through the vaccination programme will be maintained in digital databases to plan ahead for the development of certain areas of the healthcare sector. He added the COVID-19 quarantine facilities established in the Maldives will be further developed and maintained for use during a similar health emergency in the future.
Ending his remarks, the health minister thanked all individuals and organisations contributing to the development of healthcare services in the Maldives, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic.