The government of Maldives has signed an agreement with UNDP Maldives on the bulk procurement of medicine to the Maldives.

The agreement was signed by Minister of Finance Ibrahim Ameer, Minister of State for Health Ahmed Adil and Managing Director of State Trading Organization (STO) Abdulla Saeed, on behalf of the government of Maldives and Resident Representative at UNDP Maldives, Enrico Gaveglia of behalf of UNDP.

In addition to this team, Maldives Food and Drug Authority has also been included in the steering committee of the project to control the quality of medicines.

Taking to Twitter following the ceremony, UNDP Maldives revealed that they have been supporting countries to procure lifesaving medicines of highest quality and building government capacities to enhance health procurement. UNDP Maldives went on to express joy in bringing Maldives into the process and supporting the government create fiscal savings that can be re-invested in healthcare and wider social sector.

Under the agreement signed on Thursday, the bulk procurement of medicine to the Maldives through UNDP’s global health procurement services will be implemented.

High-quality medicine will be brought at a lower cost under the project, which aims to procure and supply quality medicine and pharmaceuticals to STO.

It also carries the purpose of building capacity within the public health sector to achieve the broader target of access to healthcare for all in a sustainable manner.

According to the finance ministry, the agreement signed with UNDP Maldives mirrors the commitment to the continuity of the Aasandha scheme and SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.

It has also been deemed a strong example of how the government of Maldives is working with development partners to address the issues within public healthcare in the archipelago nation.