Under this administration, Maldives has been turned into a country that imports diseases: Rasheed

Former Member of Parliament for the Central Maafannu constituency, Ibrahim Rasheed, has stated that under the current administration, the Maldives—and the capital city Male' in particular—has been turned into a hub for importing diseases.

Speaking on RaajjeTV's "Fala Surukhee" program, Rasheed stated that questions have been raised regarding the quality of medicines imported by State Pharma, the company established to procure pharmaceuticals for the Maldives.

He noted that even if State Pharma agents collect prescriptions and deliver medication directly to patients, there must be oversight regarding the quality of medicine being provided, adding that illnesses in this country no longer seem to be cured. Rasheed further stated that while outbreaks were managed through quarantine in the past, patients are now brought directly to Male', turning the capital into the primary hub for importing diseases.

Furthermore, Rasheed stated that the public is being deprived of quality medication, while a dangerous market is being expanded through State Pharma.

Various types of seasonal illnesses are currently prevalent. In the past, if someone fell ill, they would be quarantined specifically because they were sick. That is no longer the case. Now, if someone catches a cold or flu, they are sent to Male', as the capital has become the primary hub for importing diseases. Therefore, I believe the expansion of the "State Pharma" market is a dangerous trend. Furthermore, even in the earliest times, the government provided care before illnesses escalated. In modern governance, there are preventive measures that should be taken before a patient requires clinical observation. We used to have community health workers and midwives who would visit homes to check on patients. That system no longer exists.

Ibrahim Rasheed (Bonda)

Rasheed stated that it is the responsibility of the government and the state to provide treatment to citizens before their conditions worsen, yet this administration has neglected even that duty.

Furthermore, he emphasized the need to collaborate with local councils to provide proactive support for elderly patients and to ensure that medical checkups are accessible under health insurance schemes. Rasheed called on the public to take a stand and pressure the government to address these issues. He also noted that leaving all essential services solely in the hands of state-owned enterprises would ultimately be detrimental to the citizens.