Medicine is now available; it is the treatment that remains inaccessible: Ziyad

Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyad has stated that while medicine is available at pharmacies, the actual medical treatment remains inaccessible to the public.

Speaking on RaajjeTV’s "TV Talk" program, Ziyad stated that the current shortage of essential medicines is one of the most significant challenges facing the public today. He noted that citizens have been expressing their concerns regarding this issue for a considerable period. However, the Member highlighted that the government has failed to take any meaningful action to resolve the crisis.

Ziyad strongly criticized Health Minister Geela Ali for instructing doctors to prescribe only the medicines currently available in pharmacies as a solution to the ongoing shortage. The member noted that while medication can be obtained without seeing a doctor, it is the actual medical treatment and care that remains inaccessible.

The new minister has now resolved the medication issue. The minister stated that doctors have been instructed to prescribe medications that are currently available in pharmacies, noting that this is the most convenient way for citizens to access their prescriptions. This change means patients will no longer be strictly required to consult a doctor just to obtain medicine. One can simply go to a pharmacy and request the necessary medication. However, while medicine is now accessible, the actual medical treatment remains unavailable; patients can get their prescriptions, but they are still not receiving the care they need for their illnesses.

Hussain Ziyad, Member of Parliament for the Vaikaradhoo constituency.

Ziyad stated that this is a very serious issue. He noted that, more often than not, the medications the public struggles to find are not for major illnesses, but rather common essential medicines. The member specifically highlighted that those seeking treatment for chronic conditions are unable to access their required medication.

The shortage of essential medicines has been a long-standing issue in the Maldives. Many patients continue to face significant challenges in accessing necessary medication, with several pharmacies reporting frequent stockouts. The unavailability of drugs for chronic conditions, in particular, has become a major burden for those requiring long-term treatment.

The government has previously set various deadlines to resolve the ongoing medicine shortages. Despite several changes introduced under the guise of reforming the Aasandha national health insurance scheme, the scarcity of essential everyday medications has worsened, leading to a significant surge in public grievances.

Despite these public concerns, the government continued to offer assurances regarding the availability of medicine, downplaying the severity of the issue. The recently resigned Health Minister, Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, repeatedly maintained that the situation had been largely resolved, suggesting that public complaints persisted only because a 100 percent solution had not yet been achieved.

To address the ongoing medicine shortages, a new entity, the State Pharmaceutical and Medical Supply Corporation, has been established and has begun importing supplies. However, the company’s operations have yet to bring about a significant improvement in the availability of essential medication. Despite the presence of 445 pharmacies across the Maldives, complaints persist regarding the lack of basic medicines in many island pharmacies, with no end in sight to the supply challenges.

After a prolonged effort by the government to obscure the reality of the situation, Health Minister Geela Ali finally admitted during a state media appearance on Sunday, May 26, that the Maldives continues to face significant challenges in procuring essential medicines.