Faisal: Current administration's struggles stem from a failure to manage effectively
12 އޯގަސްޓު 2026 | ބުދަ 09:18Former Vice President Faisal Naseem has attributed the Maldives' deteriorating economic situation to rising wasteful expenditure and the government's failure to prioritize strengthening the healthcare system and stabilizing dollar reserves. He further emphasized that a more capable team is required to effectively manage and reduce the costs associated with the Aasandha national health insurance scheme.
Former Vice President Faisal Naseem speaking during the "Fala Surukhee" program. | Raajje MV
Former Vice President Faisal Naseem has stated that the primary challenge facing President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration is a fundamental lack of management capability.
Speaking on RaajjeTV’s "Fala Surukhee" program, Faisal stated that the rising value of the dollar is a direct result of the government’s excessive and unnecessary spending. He questioned the availability of foreign currency in the country, noting that the administration has halted housing projects initiated by the previous government in favor of spending dollars on the Ras Malé land reclamation project and the acquisition of military drones.
Highlighting that hundreds of millions are spent annually on medical treatments in countries like India under the Aasandha scheme, Faisal expressed concern over the government's failure to strengthen the domestic healthcare system and implement measures to retain foreign currency within the Maldives.
Faisal stated that during former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration, significant efforts were made to enhance regional and Greater Male' area hospitals to reduce the expenditure incurred on seeking medical treatment abroad.
To what extent can we reduce the number of people seeking medical treatment abroad by enhancing our services in Malé? Just yesterday in Kochi, I posed this question to two Maldivian doctors who were with me, asking how much we could cut down these numbers if we worked effectively. They suggested that within three years, we could achieve a significant reduction, provided the government maintains a focused approach to these efforts.Faisal Naseem
Furthermore, Faisal stated that expenditures for overseas medical treatment under the Aasandha scheme could be reduced within three years. However, he noted that achieving this requires a capable team aligned with government policy, adding that such progress would be impossible if the Health Minister is replaced six times within a five-year term.
