Male’, Maldives – The newly appointed Health Minister of Maldives, Ahmed Naseem (Kerafa Naseem) has told that Maldives cannot develop the health sector properly without decentralizing.
While speaking on a program of PSM, Minister Naseem had told that the health sector of the country is one of the most important sectors which need to be developed in the country and that this can only be done by decentralizing the health system.
He added that essential medical services cannot be properly given within the country with the current system and that this issue would be addressed within the 2021 budget which has been proposed to the Parliament. He also told that the government has experienced the challenges of providing healthcare without decentralization and that it was one of the key issues which was faced when they made the presidential manifesto in 2018.
Minister Naseem pointed out that Urban Primary Healthcare Centers needed to be developed in both northern and southern parts of the country and that medicine and other medical supplies needed to be easy available in both regions as well. He also told that this cannot be achieved by having pharmacies and medical suppliers only in Male’ area.
“Our suppliers need to be in the north and south as well. That’s the only way we can supply it (drugs and medical supplies) as soon as needed. This arrangement needs to be made” Minister Naseem told.
Minister Naseem also reassured that the government would fulfill its presidential pledges of proper governance and finding solution issues which the general public face in such sectors. He also told that the government is working to do all of this through a proper plan. Minister also added that President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih is a sharp minded and composed person and that he’s addressing the issues through a properly planned mechanism.
