Minister says a system is in place to address insulin shortages, urges public to report any availability issues through designated channels
Amidst widespread public outcry over medicine shortages under President Muizzu’s administration, the unavailability of essential drugs covered by the Aasandha national health insurance scheme has reached a critical level, leaving many patients—particularly those suffering from chronic illnesses—unable to access their vital prescriptions.
Health Minister Nazim at a press conference held at the President's Office. | President's Office | president office
Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim has stated that the Ministry has not received any official complaints regarding a shortage of specific types of insulin. He urged the public to report any such difficulties by contacting the Ministry directly.
Concerns regarding medicine shortages are frequently being shared across social media and various other platforms. Amid these reports, issues surrounding the unavailability of insulin for diabetic patients have also begun to surface.
When questioned regarding the matter during a press conference on Thursday, the Minister stated that the Ministry has not received any official complaints concerning a shortage of specific types of insulin. The Minister further urged the public to report any such difficulties by contacting the relevant authorities. He noted that these issues can be reported through the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) and Aasandha.
We have not received any formal reports or registered concerns regarding the unavailability of any specific type of insulin. We strongly urge the public to contact the MFDA, or the dedicated complaint hotlines at NSPA and Aasandha, to report such issues. Our appeal today remains the same: if anyone is facing difficulties in obtaining a specific type of insulin, please report it to us immediately.Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim
The Minister stated that once these matters are reported, he will personally oversee and monitor the situation closely.
Amidst widespread complaints regarding the unavailability of medication, the shortage of drugs previously accessible through the Aasandha scheme has significantly worsened under President Muizzu’s administration. Concerns have intensified as patients requiring long-term medication for chronic illnesses also report increasing difficulties in obtaining their essential prescriptions.
To address the ongoing medicine shortages, the government recently announced that it is strengthening STO’s supply chain and enhancing governance in pharmaceutical management. However, public criticism continues to mount as the issue remains unresolved despite these measures.
