Gov’t to re-establish primary healthcare services in 2023

The incumbent administration is to re-establish primary healthcare services in 2023.

This was announced by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Monday.

The president made this announcement while speaking at the ceremony held to mark the inauguration of initiatives to control Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs).

Taking the podium at the event, President Solih shed light on the findings of the "STEPS Noncommunicable Disease Risk Factors Survey 2020-2021," carried out by the Maldives National University (MNU) in collaboration with the Health Protection Agency (HPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

He said that the findings brought the prevalence of NCDs caused by unhealthy habits and lifestyles under the spotlight.

The president said that this requires urgent public health action and cannot be left unchecked.

The president highlighted that malicious neoplasms, cerebrovascular diseases, pulmonary diseases, and nephrology are many leading causes of the high mortality rate of 84 percent due to NCDs.

Highlighting that detection, screening, and treatment of NCDs, as well as palliative care, are critical components of the response to NCDs, President Solih went on to shed light on the significance of ensuring healthy lifestyles and wellness to prevent NCDs.

He also brought to light, the importance of the administration's "Dhulhaheyo Hashiheyo Eid," launched earlier to promote health, well-being, and active lifestyles.

Shedding light on plans to reestablish primary healthcare services, the president noted that one of the main purposes, is to increase public awareness about NCDs, promote early testing, and ensure access to medicine and proper treatment.

Further, he said that the "National Cessation Toolkit" was introduced to assist smokers to quit and is available across all healthcare centers.

He also said that the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment is presently implementing several projects across islands to provide equipment and facilities for outdoor gyms, football and futsal grounds, as well as volleyball courts.

The ministry is also taking initiatives to cater for other sporting needs.

President Solih noted that vaccines required to prevent girls from developing cervical cancer has also been added to the national vaccine schedule.

The "National Multi-Sectoral Action Plan" was unveiled during the ceremony, regarding which the president said that implementing the plan would meaningfully resolve several issues.

The president also urged all stakeholders to participate in implementing the action plan.