Expanding healthcare services across the entirety of Maldives will enhance access to healthcare services, says President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

The Maldivian leader made this remark while speaking at the function to mark World Health Day 2023.

As such, taking the podium at the event, President Solih highlighted that his administration aims to significantly enhance access to healthcare through its efforts to expand healthcare services across the island nation.

Shedding light on the administration’s efforts to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic and efforts to expand and enhance healthcare services nationwide, President Solih stated that the administration is developing tertiary hospitals in five regions.

He added that seven other hospitals are being developed with the assistance of the Kuwait Fund.

The president went on to compare the state of public health in the past with the present and noted that communicable diseases were the leading causes of death in the past.

Further, President Solih stressed that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for most deaths presently, shedding light on the significance of researching to identify the reasons for the increase in NCDs.

Emphasizing on the theme of World Health Day this year, which is “health for all”, the Maldivian leader noted how it aligns with the administration's efforts to revive primary healthcare.

In addition, the president stated that public health was at its peak when significant efforts were made to promote primary healthcare across Maldives.

Highlighting that the World Health Organization (WHO) is marking its 75th anniversary this year, President Solih touched upon the important role of WHO over the years, in promoting healthcare and public health in the Maldives.

Thursday’s event saw Director General of the Health Protection Agency (HPA) Maimoona Aboobakuru presenting a summary report of the incumbent administration's Covid-19 response to President Solih.

The event, held at Dharubaaruge, was joined by First Lady Fazna Ahmed, senior officials of WHO in the Maldives, and the Ministry of Health.